North Port in Port Klang handled 531,131 TEUs while PTP achieved a 386,394 TEUs.

For the country's premier port, the growth was particularly significant as it was achieved under severe competitive conditions and owing to the slowdown particularly in North American trade.

In terms of profile, North Port handled a total of 246,262 TEUs of indigenous traffic from January to March, giving it a strong grip on local volume with 73% market share in comparison to Port Klang.

Records revealed that North Port's volumes grew from 241,735 TEUs in 2000 to 246,262TEUs in 2001.

Volume of transhipment containers in Port Klang continued to show strong gains.

Within North Port's sphere of activity, transhipment volume grew 43% from 146,894 TEUs to 210,379 TEUs in the first quarter of this year.

In terms of market share, North Port leads with 55% of total transhipment volume in Port Klang.

Last year saw more than 10 new direct services introduced by North Port's existing customers.

It also saw an increase in the number of feeder services hubbing in Port Klang.

PTP in Johor reported that container handling last month increased to 148,000 TEUs and the monthly figure is expected to grow by 15% to 20% from May.

By yearend, PTP estimated that volumes would remain on target at two million TEUs.

First quarter throughput saw a growth in exports and imports, totalling 16,307 TEUs, and making up 4% of total throughput with the remaining 96% being transhipment cargo.

PTP chief executive officer Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman said the 46% growth to 386,394 TEUs was due largely to an increase in services calling at PTP and growth of existing services.

Excellent growth in volume and productivity was achieved through continued dialogue and close co-operation with customers, he said.

"We are preparing for another 20% increase in the next quarter.''

Mohd Sidik said the beginning of the second quarter represented a new step for PTP as the port had brought productivity levels to the benchmark of other regional ports.

"The focus is now on further increases and exceeding customer expectations.

"The lines and end-users have now experienced what we can offer. There will be continued improvements on value-added services from here on for the benefit of customers,'' said Sidik.

During the three-month period, PTP received 534 container-vessel calls and 251 non-container vessels.

The non-container vessel calls largely constituted daily calls by Star Cruises.

Apart from Maersk Sealand, other lines calling at PTP were APL-NOL, MCC Transport, Kimtrans, Bayswater (Kaz Industries), QC Line, Orient Express Line (OEL), Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) and Bangladeshi Shipping Line (BSC).