The main national ports handled 23.2 million tons in the first four months of the 2012 year, the National Statistics Board (INE) reported.

Compared with the same period last year, there was a growth in activity in the region of 8.3%. Higher than it was expected in face of actual difficult economic environment lived in the country.

Between January and April, Leixoes handled 5.5 million tons, continuing to grow more than 2% from the record reached last year.

In the same period, Viana do Castelo processed 186 thousand tons (plus 70%), Aveiro one million (-7%), Figueira da Foz 581 thousand (plus 12.1%), Lisbon 4.1 million (plus 1%) , Setúbal 2,3 million (less 4%) and Sines 9,4 million (plus 21%).