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In the first quarter, the Port of Montreal’s traffic rose 7.6 percent compared with first-quarter 2009 volume. The two main drivers: containerized cargo and iron ore, according to the Montreal Port Authority.

Container traffic increased 11.1 percent. The Mediterranean and Caribbean — which registered the strongest traffic growth — boosted cargo 36.6 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively. Northern European traffic inched up 0.1 percent.

Meanwhile, dry bulk traffic jumped 37 percent while iron ore volume at the Contrecoeur Terminal skyrocketed from 34,409 tons in first-quarter 2009 to 348,276 tons in first-quarter 2010. However, bulk liquid volume dropped 13.4 percent primarily because of a 17.5 percent decline in petroleum products.

“The growth of certain types of traffic in dry bulk, such as iron ore, along with growth in container traffic would seem to indicate an upturn in economic activity,” said Montreal Port Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvie Vachon in a prepared statement.