Container shipments from Asia to Europe surged 20 percent in the first quarter from a year ago as the rebound in traffic that started in the final three months of 2009 continued into 2010, according to latest industry figures.

First quarter shipments rose 3.2 percent from the previous three-month period, according to the European Liner Affairs Association.

Growth slowed to 10.5 percent in March after a 53.5 percent surge in February that reflected the steep slump in traffic in the opening weeks of 2009.

Carriers transported 3.1 million 20-foot equivalent units from Asia to Europe in the first quarter, compared with 2.59 million TEUs in the same period in 2009, the Brussels-based industry group said.

The year-over-year growth in traffic on the return leg from Europe to Asia slowed to 9.9 percent in March from more than 25 percent in February and more than 34 percent in January to total 1.36 million TEUs in the first quarter against 1.12 million TEUs a year ago.

The previously sluggish North Atlantic trade registered growth in both directions led by shipments to Europe that rose by just over 14 percent in the first quarter to 687,200 TEUs. Westbound traffic out of Europe grew almost 11 percent to 722,000 TEUs.