According to a PTP press statement yesterday, PTP's increased visibility in recent months had generated great interest in the project, especially on how the project could benefit the various industries and create opportunities for all sectors.

Among the facilities at the site are six linear berths totalling 2.16km in length, total area of 1.2 million square metres reserved for container handling and storage activities, port administration building, government agencies complex and a 5.4km access road linking PTP to the Second Link expressway.

"With these key facilities, Phase One - scheduled to be completed by mid-2001 -will be able to handle an annual throughput of 3.8 million Twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs)," the statement said.

Although most members of JPSFA have a prior understanding of PTP's facilities, their visit is deemed necessary to get a first-hand view of the ongoing construction, said the statement.

At this point, Berth 1 has just been completed.

It added that the visit will also give the JPSFA a chance to "network" with key officials in the local shipping and forwarding industry.

"This would give port officials a first-hand understanding of the present problems faced by the industry," it said