WESTERN European Mediterranean ports experienced slower cargo growth in 2011 with Barcelona, Valencia and Algeciras showing meagre increases, most of which came in the first half.

Barcelona volume increased four per cent to 2,033,549 TEU, which was attributed to its transshipment growth. Valencia was up 2.86 per cent to 4,327,371 TEU compared to 2010's 15 per cent increase.

Spanish imports increased 13.9 per cent to 274,486 TEU and exports grew 5.4 per cent to 236,994 TEU.

Genoa increased five per cent to 1.8 million TEU due to suspected cargo shift from Savona in northern Italy, which suffered a 37.4 per cent fall to 160,000 TEU.