The latest throughput figures for the port represents a 20 per cent increase over 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 grow and showed a 16 per cent rise to 122,654 TEU in the first nine months of 2004 against 105,581 TEU for the same period last year.

The number of vessels calling at the port increased by 49 to 2,378 for the first nine months of 2004 compared to 2,329 calls in the same period in 2003.

A PTP statement said the rise in volumes was due to the continuing global economic upturn, the increasing market share of local cargo, and the addition of new services calling at the port.

The port also said third quarter 2004 saw the completion of berths seven and eight, as part of the Phase Two expansion programme, which have increased annual handling capacity by 1.5 million TEU to more than 6 million TEU.

Meanwhile, Tanjung Pelepas has received the award for "Asian Container Terminal of the Year 2004" at the Asian Logistics Award 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Port authorities said that the award marks "the beginning of a new chapter for Malaysia's port industry" after PTP became the first Malaysian port to be named the "Best Emerging Container Terminal" back in 2000 when it began operations.

PTP beat terminal operators for the Port of Singapore (PSA) and Hong Kong Port (HIT) to win the prize.

"We believe that this award is recognition that it is not size alone that makes a great container terminal. There are many other factors that play a role in the equation such as throughput growth rates, current and future handling capacity, operational efficiency and the potential for future growth," said PTP's statement.