Singapore-based PSA International reports a 5.6 per cent year-on-year increase in full-year global throughput to 57.09 million TEU at its ports worldwide, according to the Shipping Gazette.

This figure excludes cargo handled from the PSA Group's port assets in Hong Kong which were sold to the Singapore-listed HPH Trust in March. If that throughput were included, PSA's total volume would rise to 59.3 million TEU.

The increase of performance was attributable to a 6.1 per cent growth of its flagship PSA Singapore Terminals to a record high of 29.37 million TEU, plus a five per cent rise of other PSA terminals outside Singapore to 27.72 million TEU.

Said PSA Group CEO Tan Chong Meng: "2011 posed several challenges for the shipping and port industries as global trade slowed down amidst unfavourable developments, including the Japan earthquake, excess shipping capacity and the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe. As we enter 2012, the outlook for the year remains uncertain as countries