Marseille Fos took part in test runs that halved transit times to Rotterdam and Hamburg, reported the American Journal of Commerce.
With 12 million tonnes from containers, general cargo rose three per cent 18.5 million tonnes.
The increase was helped by the arrival of two new operators, Modal Ouest and BD Rail Services, serving Chalon-sur-Saone and Niort in mid-west France.
Future growth potential was signalled by the EU-backed Fresh Food Corridor pilot scheme, which links Israel to northern markets via ports and railheads in southern Europe.
Elsewhere in general cargo, ro-ro traffic included 182,000 trailers ?V representing a seven increase in the Corsica and North Africa trade ?V and 170,000 import/export cars, a five per cent rise reflecting the health of the French automobile market.
"The container record followed increases of three per cent overall and four per cent at the deepsea Fos terminals - a fourth consecutive year of growth that outstripped the European and French average for the second year running and underlined the port's alternative southern gateway for Europe's marketing proposition," said the port authority.
Trade in cars, LNG and miscellaneous dry bulk were highlights, including a seven per cent increase in trailers.
Box volumes were boosted by capacity increases of 20-80 per cent on eight lines - three serving Asia, two the US and Canada, two the Mediterranean and one the Indian Ocean, the port authority said.
In addition four new services were launched, including the Mediterranean Shipping Co's (MSC) California Express, and Evergreen resumed calls after an 11-year absence.
Major alliances are expected to further reinforce their presence at Fos in 2017, said the release.
Pre- and post-forwarding container activity on rail and inland waterways was marked by an eight per cent rise in rail traffic to 121,000 TEU.
Conventional trades slipped three per cent to 2.3 million tonnes due to a downturn in steel industry products. In contrast, heavy loads provided encouragement thanks to construction of the world's biggest nuclear fusion reactor at the ITER site in southern France, a multinational project that will grow in scale until 2025.
The port's logistics parks saw more than 250,000 square metres of warehouse, office and yard developments in 2016 due to consolidation by existing tenants and the arrival of several new players.
At the Distriport complex in Fos, developments included Group Charles Andre's 32,000-square metre warehouse - with 6,000 square metres reserved for Seveso-classed dangerous goods - and facilities for bearings manufacturer NTN and logistics provider Steinweg in the Mediaco building.
Following a very good previous 12 months, the Marseille's ship repair operation continued to advance in 2016.In a notable first for the facility, two methane carriers were berthed alongside for high added value work.
They were among 131 ships to call for afloat repairs - a 21 per cent increase - which represented a 20 per cent rise to 2,602 days of quayside occupation.
The number of drydockings were down eight per cent with 90 ships but up four per cent in occupation terms with 2,014 days.
With 12 million tonnes from containers, general cargo rose three per cent 18.5 million tonnes.
The increase was helped by the arrival of two new operators, Modal Ouest and BD Rail Services, serving Chalon-sur-Saone and Niort in mid-west France.
Future growth potential was signalled by the EU-backed Fresh Food Corridor pilot scheme, which links Israel to northern markets via ports and railheads in southern Europe.
Elsewhere in general cargo, ro-ro traffic included 182,000 trailers ?V representing a seven increase in the Corsica and North Africa trade ?V and 170,000 import/export cars, a five per cent rise reflecting the health of the French automobile market.
"The container record followed increases of three per cent overall and four per cent at the deepsea Fos terminals - a fourth consecutive year of growth that outstripped the European and French average for the second year running and underlined the port's alternative southern gateway for Europe's marketing proposition," said the port authority.
Trade in cars, LNG and miscellaneous dry bulk were highlights, including a seven per cent increase in trailers.
Box volumes were boosted by capacity increases of 20-80 per cent on eight lines - three serving Asia, two the US and Canada, two the Mediterranean and one the Indian Ocean, the port authority said.
In addition four new services were launched, including the Mediterranean Shipping Co's (MSC) California Express, and Evergreen resumed calls after an 11-year absence.
Major alliances are expected to further reinforce their presence at Fos in 2017, said the release.
Pre- and post-forwarding container activity on rail and inland waterways was marked by an eight per cent rise in rail traffic to 121,000 TEU.
Conventional trades slipped three per cent to 2.3 million tonnes due to a downturn in steel industry products. In contrast, heavy loads provided encouragement thanks to construction of the world's biggest nuclear fusion reactor at the ITER site in southern France, a multinational project that will grow in scale until 2025.
The port's logistics parks saw more than 250,000 square metres of warehouse, office and yard developments in 2016 due to consolidation by existing tenants and the arrival of several new players.
At the Distriport complex in Fos, developments included Group Charles Andre's 32,000-square metre warehouse - with 6,000 square metres reserved for Seveso-classed dangerous goods - and facilities for bearings manufacturer NTN and logistics provider Steinweg in the Mediaco building.
Following a very good previous 12 months, the Marseille's ship repair operation continued to advance in 2016.In a notable first for the facility, two methane carriers were berthed alongside for high added value work.
They were among 131 ships to call for afloat repairs - a 21 per cent increase - which represented a 20 per cent rise to 2,602 days of quayside occupation.
The number of drydockings were down eight per cent with 90 ships but up four per cent in occupation terms with 2,014 days.