The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Malaysia handled two million TEU over the first six months of the year, the facility's highest ever throughput over that period.

The result was 25 per cent higher than during the comparable period in 2003.

Transshipment volumes during the first six months, amounted 1.8 million TEU, a rise of 24.6 per cent over the prior-year period. Local cargo volumes posted a gain of 22 per cent growth, up from the 63,526 TEU handled in the first half of last year.

PTP officials said the growth at the port was attributable to the continuing strong global economic upturn, as well as the addition of a number of new services calling at the port.

In the first half of 2004, vessel calls at PTP increased by 5.3 per cent over the same period last year, or around three extra calls per week.

Meanwhile, completion of two additional berths this month is set to increase the port's capacity from 4.5 million to 6 million TEU per annum.