JAPAN's port of Kobe's cargo throughput grew by two per cent year on year in May to 7.821 million tonnes as higher domestic trade volumes offset a drop in foreign trade.

Foreign trade was down 4.2 per cent to 4.187 million tonnes, but domestic trade at the port in the nation's west soared 10.3 per cent to 3.63 million tonnes, according to figures from the municipal government.

Exports remained flat after posting a 0.1 per cent increase to 1.91 million tonnes while imports fell 7.5 per cent year on year to 2.27 million tonnes.

Container traffic totalled 1.12 million TEU from January to May, up 4.2 per cent against the same period last year, reported IHS Maritime News.