The Port of London has reported that trade at its terminals topped 50 million tonnes last year for the first time since 2008, boosted by an increase in oil volumes and new international routes.

According to the Port of London Authority (PLA) (www.pla.co.uk), the total tonnage of cargo handled at its terminals was 50.4 million in 2016, an increase of 5 million tonnes on the previous year, with “particularly robust performances” in oil, containers and building materials.

Oil trades grew from 10.9 million tonnes in 2015 to 13.3 million tonnes last year, as the first cargoes were delivered to the Thames Oil Port in Coryton, where the former oil-refinery site has been converted into a fuel terminal.

PLA CEO Robin Mortimer said: “Our long-term vision is for 60-80 million tonnes of cargo to be traded every year through the Port of London — more than at any time in the history of the Thames. Passing 50 million tonnes in 2016 is a major milestone towards this goal.”