In a statement on July 7, PTP said the 1H2004 throughput represented a staggering 25% increase from 1.60 million TEUs in the same period last year.

Transhipment volume in 1H2004 totalled 1.83 million TEUs, up 24.6% from 1.47 million TEUs handled in 1H2003, while local cargo volume grew 22% growth to 77,576 TEUs in 1H2004 from 63,526 TEUs a year earlier.

"The phenomenal growth at PTP is attributed to the continuing strong global economic upturn, as well as the addition of a number of new services calling at the port," PTP said.

It said vessels calling at PTP increased 5.3% to 1,584 in 1H2004 compared with 1,504 in 1H2003. "Effectively, the increase equates to around three extra calls per week," it said.

PTP said with cargo volumes rising on major trade routes, in particular, Asia-Europe, it had experienced a strong growth in volumes as it continued to retain its premier position as a transshipment port.

It said the completion of two additional berths expected in the middle of this month would increase the port's capacity from 4.5 million to six million TEUs per annum.

"Shippers have continued to show their confidence in PTP, and growth in the volume of domestic cargo handled by the port is a reflection of the faith entrusted in PTP by the local community," PTP said.

In May, the port handled its ten millionth TEU - achievement in less than five years of operation. PTP said in the same month, the port set a new world productivity record with 340 gross berth moves per hour, during operations on the Maersk Sealand containership, AP Moller.