LIQUID bulk terminal operator, Stolthaven (Westport) Sdn Bhd has projected a 25% increase in throughput for 2004 from the 800,000 tonnes handled last year, its general manager Ambrose Peter Felix said.

"To achieve this we, we will be working closely with the port operator Westport to maximise the potential of our storage capacity and to fully utilise the existence of the newly completed wharf at the port's liquid bulk terminal 4 (LBT 4).

Felix said the company utilised 75% of its storage capacity to handle the 800,000 tonnes of liquid cargo of which 70% were imports and 30% exports in 2003.The company has invested some RM80 million at its Westport facility.

It started operations in November 1997 with a storage capacity of 27,000 cubic metres and had expanded its capacity to 102,600 cubic metres this year.

Stolthaven is a joint venture between Bolton Bhd and Stolt Nielsen SA, the world's largest chemical and speciality liquid bulk shipping company.

To accommodate increasing market demands and to facilitate faster turnaround trips for vessels, Stolthaven had laid seven additional dock lines and three utility supply lines between Stolthaven's facility and LBT 4.