In a period of 571 days since beginning operations on 10 October 1999, PTP has handled its one millionth TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit of container). The one millionth TEU was handled on board the vessel Knud Maersk on 4 May 2001 at 1530 hours. The Knud Maersk with a length of 318 metres and gross registered tonnage of 81488 metric tonnes is deployed on the AE2 eastbound Asia - Europe service.

The achievement has marked the entry of PTP as one of the world's fastest growing ports in the world. To commemorate the occasion, a ceremony was held at the wharf side with PTP Chairman, Dato' Mohd Taufik Abdullah, management and staff of PTP and over 100 customer representatives from main lines, feeders, distribution and logistics companies and government representatives.

Dato' Mohd Taufik Abdullah, PTP Chairman began the function with a
welcoming address where he stated that " The fast growth in a short period of time is unprecedented. We express our sincere thanks to all our customers for helping us achieve our first million TEUs. Dato' Mohd Taufik added " The achievement has also spurred our team to achieve new levels of excellence.

Our goal is now to exceed shipping line expectations of productivity. With new equipment and state-of-the-art systems, we are working towards re-setting the world standard of crane and vessel productivity levels.

On challenges that were faced by PTP, Dato' Taufik also added that " We have also overcome many of our early challenges after the surge of volumes in last quarter of 2000. We have an excellent team of highly motivated, experienced and a dynamic workforce who have taken us this far in a short period. Our next area of focus will be to increase capacity and attract more main lines handling transshipment cargo. Along with our Phase Two expansion, PTP will soon be the largest port in the country both in terms of size and volume and a leading transhipment centre for South East Asia. We are also confident of reaching our target of 2 million TEUs for year 2001".

During the welcoming address at approximately 1530 hours on 4th May, the one millionth TEU was also loaded to the vessel from a PTP truck. The historic forty-foot length container was decorated with ribbons and a banner inscribed with the words 'One Millionth TEU'. The ribbon-cutting by PTP Chairman Dato' Taufik commemorated the beginning of the loading of the historic container.

Since beginning operations on 10 October 1999, PTP has surged ahead in volume growth after securing a strategic partnership with Maersk Sealand in August 2000. Other lines currently include MCC Transport, Bengal Tiger Lines, Kimtrans, Orient Express Line, QC Container Line, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation and Bayswater. In recognition of its efforts to establish a hub, PTP was also awarded the prestigious 'Best Emerging Container Terminal Award' by Lloyd's List in October 2000.