The latest throughput figures for PTP are over 20 per cent, up on the same period last year when the port handled 2,518,029 TEUs.

In a statement issued yesterday, PTP said the rise in volumes was attributed to the continuing global economic upturn, the increasing market share of local cargo, and the addition of new services calling at PTP.

Total throughput handled during the third quarter of 2004 was 1,015,863 TEUs compared with 913,370 TEUs in the same three-month period last year.

Local cargo handled also continued to show an impressive gain, and was up 16 per cent to 122,654 TEUs in the first nine months of 2004 against 105,581 TEUs for the same period last year.

Transhipment volumes recorded an even higher increase of over 20 per cent with 2,904,171 TEUs handled in the first three months 2004 from 2,412,447 TEUs in the same period last year. Total vessel calls increased by 49 to 2,378 for the first nine months of 2004 compared with 2,329 calls in the same period last year.

Third quarter 2004 also saw the completion of berths 7 and 8 as part of the Phase 2 expansion programme. The two berths have added up to 1.5 million TEUs in handling capacity, giving the port annual capacity in excess of six million TEUs.

Significant events during the third quarter of 2004 included the signing ceremony between PTP and IMPSA (Malaysia) for the supply of new quay and yard cranes ast month.