The Port of Pascagoula moved 338,142 tons of cargo the first six months of this year, up 7.79 percent over the same time last year. That’s according to a midyear comparison released by the Jackson County Port Authority.

Overall, Port Director Mark McAndrews says the first half of 2008 was marked by a decrease in imports that was offset by an increase in exports.

Steel is an import at the Port of Pascagoula, and steel cargo dropped from 2,247 tons in the first half of 2007 to 489 tons in 2008.

Wood poles, however, are exported along with other forest products to Central America and the Dominican Republic. Pole cargo jumped from 208 tons in 2007 to 813 tons in 2008.