Between January and March, the mainland ports handled 24.6 million tonnes, a record figure and a 12.9% growth over the same period of 2016, according to the Transport and Mobility Authority (AMT) data.

Growing 8%, Leixões handled 4.6 million tonnes (corresponding to a market share of 19%) and consolidated its position as the leading port in import / export moves.

Among other ports, Sines achieved 13.5 million tonnes, Lisbon, 2.9 million, Setúbal, 1.7 million and Aveiro, 1.2 million.

Containerised cargo contributed the most to growth in the first quarter. The AMT highlights the year-on-year rise of 33% to 9.5 million tonnes.

Liquid bulks added 8.4 million tonnes (9% more), solid bulks stood at 4.9 million tonnes (6% less). The ro-ro cargo increased 31% to 329,000 tonnes and the fractional general cargo yielded 1%, to 1.1 million tonnes.