The handling over was by Ballast Nedam, one of the world's leading contractors on dredging.

The handling over of a replica of a vessel signified Ballast Nedam's appreciation at being part of the PTP project and involvement in the early works of dredging in the leading port.

During the ceremony, which was attended by PTP and Ballast Nedam's appreciation at being part of the PTP project and involvement in the early works of dredging in the leading port.

During the ceremony, which was attended by PTP and Ballast Nedam officials, PTP's Chief Executive Officer Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman was presented with a replica of a traditional fishing vessel by Ballast Nedam director Johan Pronk.

Pronk, in a brief speech, commended PTP at providing a highly efficient new terminal for main line operators and expressed his gratitude to PTP at having the opportunity to be part of the foundation works for Southeast Asia's premier transhipment hub.

The dredging and reclamation, completed in late 1999, covered the entire Phase One development are, which included a 12.6 kilometre access channel from the pilot boarding area to the port and a turning basin of 600 metres width.

The access channel has a width of 250 metres, allowing for two-way traffic for Super Post-Panamax vessels to call at PTP.

During the actual work, various aspects of construction on the site were done such as land clearance, additional site investigation, dredging of the approach channel and turning basin, dredging to the foundation level below the proposed bund and its construction, installation of wick drains, reclamation and surcharge of Phase One land area, removal, re-use and disposal of surcharge and the provision to build a temporary construction jetty.

PTP is strategically located at the southwest shoulder of Johor with a minimum 45-minutes diversion time from the confluence of the main international shipping lanes.

With depths of 15 metres at the wharf and access channel, Phase One of PTP has been constructed to cater towards Super Post Panamax vessels.

The first four of six berths are currently operational with nine Super Post Panamax quayside cranes, and three more are being commissioned.

The berths are backed by one of the largest container yards in the region having a storage capacity of 110,000 TEUs.

On full Phase One completion by mid-2001, PTP will be capable of handling 3.8 million TEUs per annum.

Current services at PTP include Mitsui OSK Line Japan/Hong Kong straits service, APL-NOL's West Asia Express and Maersk Sealand's seven weekly calls to US/Europe, Far East and Mediterranean.

Maersk Sealand is also in the midst of shifting its entire transhipment hub to PTP from Singapore by the year-end.