SEOUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The volume of cargo handled at South Korea's seaports during the first half of this year rose 7.1 percent from a year earlier, fueled by improving economic and trade conditions, government data showed Wednesday.

South Korea's 31 seaports handled a record 637.39 million tons in the first half, compared to 595.40 million tons a year ago, the data by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs showed.

The growth was mainly driven by increased shipments of bituminous coal, oil-related products and automobiles in and out of the country's seaports.

Cargo shipments of bituminous coal grew 12.9 percent from a year earlier, while those of oil products and automobiles rose 11.7 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively, according to the data.