PTP, which will an annual capacity of 3.8m teu once the first phase is completed in 2001, is targeting the regional transhipment market, the core of Singapore’s PSA Corp’s business.

PTP officials have previously said that they expect 80% of the port’s volumes to come from transhipment. It hopes to attract shipping lines by offering tariffs 30% lower than Singapore.

Even though the port only has two berths in operation it has already attracted interest from some major players in the industry. Container shipping giant Maersk-SeaLand said at the end of last year that it was studying the possibility of taking a dedicated berth at the terminal.