PTP achieved its one million TEUs mark last Friday within a space of merely 571 days since it began operations on Oct 10, 1999.

 

Some 540,000 TEUs were handled in the first four months of 2001 alone.

 

The achievement is believed to be the fastest throughput record in the world to be achieved by a new port.

 

The one millionth TEU container was placed aboard the Knud Maersk vessel, which is deployed on the eastbound Asia-Europe service.

 

With this unprecedented growth, PTP, which is targeting a total throughput of 2.95 million TEUs in 2001 and 3.45 million TEUs in 2002, is expected to surpass Port Klang soon, specially for transshipment cargo.

 

Port Klang, which handled a total throughput of 3.25 million TEUs last year, had 1.3 million TEUs of transshipment cargo.

 

This year, four million TEUs in total throughput is expected, with the transshipment segment projected to reach the two million TEU mark.

 

Some 60 per cent of the cargo volume of Port Klang comes from hinterland traffic, while in PTP this sector contributes only five per cent, with transshipment accounting for 95 per cent of the throughput.

 

Speaking after the commemorative ceremony to mark this special occasion, PTP's chairman Datuk Mohd Taufik Abdullah said: "We aim to grow bigger, particularly by increasing capacity and focusing on attracting more main shipping lines to add to our present array of 12 lines calling at PTP.

 

"With phase two to be initiated in end-2001, instead of 2004 to meet growing demand, and RM400 million of additional equipment coming in shortly, we will soon be the largest port in the country, both in terms of size and volume.

 

"Market forces usually prevail in deciding the roles played by the various ports in the country. If in PTP's growth quest we overtake Port Klang, then so be it."

 

He said that PTP, which had connections with over 100 ports, was making continuous efforts to increase its network.

 

The lion's share of PTP's cargo is contributed by Maersk-Sealand, the world's largest container line, which moved in from Singapore Port to PTP in August 2000, and acquired a 30 per cent stake in the new port.

 

On May 9, Maersk is scheduled to shift its New Zealand string from Kaoshiung, Taiwan, to PTP, boosting its existing 15 services here.

 

Added Taufik: "We are now trying to increase our share of domestically-sourced cargo by attracting local shippers to use PTP's facilities for exports and imports.

 

"Malacca and Johor are our hinterland, and we are marketing PTP to local shippers here, in alliance with haulers, forwarders and lines, and expect this sector to emerge stronger over the next one year."

 

He also said that PTP's Distripark has attracted six clients to set up their regional warehousing and logistics facilities so far.