The global ports operator said it handled 55m teu last year,up 0.7% from 2012.

The second half saw a strong performance, with volumesgrowing 3.6%.

This was largely driven by an improved performance from AsiaPacific, Australia and UAE terminals.

UAE volumes hit a new high of 13.6m teu, up 2.7%.

CEO Mohammed Sharaf said: “Our full year throughputperformance is pleasing, particularly given the softer market conditions weexperienced in the first half of 2013.”