The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) recorded its highest ever nine month total throughput when it handled 3,026,826 TEU during the first three quarters of 2004, more than 20% up on the same period last year, when the port handled 2,518,029 TEU. 

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

Local cargo handled also continued to show an impressive gain, and was up 16% to 122,654 TEU in the first nine months of 2004 against 105,581 TEU for the same period last year. Transshipment volumes recorded an even higher increase of over 20% with 2,904,171 TEU handled in the first three months of 2004 from 2,412,447 TEU in the same period last year.

Total vessel calls increased by 49 to 2,378 for the first nine months of 2004 compared to 2,329 calls in the same period in 2003.

The rise in volumes is attributed to the continuing global economic upturn, the increasing market share of local cargo, and the addition of new services calling at PTP.

The third quarter of this year also saw the completion of berths 7 and 8 as part of the Phase 2 expansion program. The two berths have increased handling capacity by up to 1.5 million TEU, giving the port an annual capacity in excess of 6 million TEU.

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

The port was also nominated for Best Container Terminal in the Asia Logistics Awards, and won awards for the Best e-commerce project in trade facilitation at the eASIA Awards, and Best Infrastructure Design Award by the Malaysian Development Bank (Bank Pembangunan).