With the call, PTP has now received three of the world's largest vessels all with a length of 347 metres belonging to the Maersk Sealand group.

The world's largest shipping lines has nine vessels of the 'S' class.

Prior to PTP, the last port of call for Maersk Cornelius which has a capacity of 6,600 TEUs was Algeciras, Spain.

The vessel was alongside at PTP's wharf at 10.30am and departed at 8.13pm on the same day, PTP said in a statement.

A total of 1,362 40-foot equivalent units of containers were discharged using six of PTP's Super Post Panamax quayside cranes.

Productivity was 27.29 gross moves per hour per crane.

To commemorate the occasion of being the only Malaysian port to receive three of S class vessels, PTP's Chief Executive Officer Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman presented a memento to the Maersk Cornelius vessel master in a brief ceremony which took place on the vessel.

The first two S class vessels which called at PTP were Clifford Maersk on February 7 and Skagen Maersk on January 5 this year.

PTP is currently gearing up to be South-East Asia's premier transhipment hub.

Facilities include a 2.16km linear wharf scheduled for full completion in mid 2001 and a container yard spanning 1.2 million square metres.

The port is also driven by an Integrated IT system linking all facilities and equipment on site for maximum productivity and fast turnaround.

Meanwhile, Star Cruises, the global cruise line, and PTP in a joint announcement said they are looking into options of developing PTP as a cruise hub in South-East Asia.

The option is being studied following the maiden call by Star Cruises vessel "MegaStar Taurus" at the port on April 6.

PTP achieved a milestone as MegaStar Taurus became the first cruise vessel to call at a port.

The MegaStar Taurus, at under 5,000-grt, 82 metres with a passenger capacity of 90 persons, offers private charters to the luxury and premium sectors of the market.

Her maiden call at PTP is seen as an initial step towards establishment of future cruise operations at PTP. Both parties are looking into options of developing PTP as a cruise hub in South-East Asia.

Star Cruises is confident that PTP's strategic location at the south-west of Peninsular Malaysia and backed by excellent road linkages to Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia will ensure that it serves as an effective cruise hub.

With deep waters of 15 metres at the access channel and wharf area, turning basin of 600 metres and a sheltered bay, PTP would be able to serve the largest of both cruise and container vessels today.

PTP, although focused on container transhipment as its main goal, looks upon the cruise operations as potential to further spur the growth at south-west Johor's new industrial areas.

Passenger traffic at PTP would see development for all parties in the surrounding areas. The establishment of downstream industries catering to passengers would also benefit the port in the long run.

PTP's long-term plans in this area include establishing the port area as a maritime centre serving all needs and requirements for the regional port and shipping sector.

Star Cruises' operations at PTP signal the beginning of a smart partnership between both parties to further fulfil these long-term objectives