PTP’s chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman told Business Times that the last quarter results were “very encouraging” and believes it will set the pace for the remainder of the year. Total vessel calls rose by 10 per cent. The port recorded 791 vessel calls.

 

PTP will continue to market itself aggressively to target new customers of both main lines and feeders to enhance its connectivity and regional hub status.

 

Sidik said this month PTP will be welcoming a new weekly voyage by China/Adriatic express east-bound service, run jointly by Lloyd Triestino and CMA-CGM.

 

PTP is also pursuing new accounts in its free commercial and industrial zone to attract tenants.

 

It recently managed to attract German motor vehicle company like BMW to house its Asian spare parts distribution centre there. The BMW division will start operating from industrial zone in August. “ The automotive sector is an area that we are paying close attention to,” Sidik said.

 

He said indicators clearly show that PTP is heading in the right direction.

 

“PTP ended its financial year 2003 in the black although the port has only been operating for four years.

 

This is unprecedented for a private port. Most ports of our magnitude would usually take twice as long to record a net profit, “ Sidik added.