The Largest 19 Ports in Malaysia: Comprehensive Data and Insights
Meta Description: Explore detailed insights into Malaysia's largest 19 ports, including annual throughput, port area, and their critical roles in global trade.
The Strategic Importance of Malaysia’s Ports
Malaysia’s ports are vital to the country’s economy, strategically positioned along major global shipping routes, making them critical gateways for international trade. These ports handle a wide range of cargo, from containerized goods to bulk materials, supporting both the local economy and global supply chains. The following overview provides insights into the 19 largest ports in Malaysia, focusing on their annual throughput, port area, and significance in the global trade network.
1. Port Klang
Location: Selangor, Western Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 13.6 million TEUs
Port Area: 2,400 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, automobiles, bulk cargo
Established: 1901
Berth Length: 19,600 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 65 ships
Coordinates: 2.9971° N, 101.3934° E
Maximum Draft: 17 meters
Description:
Port Klang is Malaysia’s largest and busiest port, located on the western coast near the capital, Kuala Lumpur. It is a major transshipment hub, handling a significant portion of Malaysia’s containerized cargo, automobiles, and bulk goods. Port Klang’s modern facilities and strategic location make it a vital gateway for trade between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
2. Port of Tanjung Pelepas
Location: Johor, Southern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 10.3 million TEUs
Port Area: 1,600 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, electronics, palm oil
Established: 1999
Berth Length: 14,000 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 42 ships
Coordinates: 1.3615° N, 103.5330° E
Maximum Draft: 18 meters
Description:
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas is one of the fastest-growing ports in Malaysia, strategically located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It serves as a major transshipment hub, particularly for containerized cargo, electronics, and palm oil. The port’s deep-water berths and state-of-the-art facilities make it a key player in global trade, especially for routes between Asia and Europe.
3. Port of Penang
Location: Penang Island, Northern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 1.7 million TEUs
Port Area: 572 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, rubber, palm oil
Established: 1786
Berth Length: 7,800 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 24 ships
Coordinates: 5.4164° N, 100.3347° E
Maximum Draft: 11 meters
Description:
Penang Port is one of Malaysia’s oldest and most historically significant ports, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It handles a diverse range of cargo, including containers, rubber, and palm oil. Penang’s strategic location near the Strait of Malacca makes it an important hub for trade within the ASEAN region and beyond.
4. Port of Johor
Location: Johor Bahru, Southern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 1.3 million TEUs
Port Area: 1,200 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, petroleum products, chemicals
Established: 1977
Berth Length: 6,500 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 20 ships
Coordinates: 1.4373° N, 103.7556° E
Maximum Draft: 12 meters
Description:
The Port of Johor, also known as Pasir Gudang, is a key industrial port located near the Singapore border. It handles a significant volume of containers, petroleum products, and chemicals. The port’s strategic location and modern infrastructure make it a critical logistics hub for Malaysia’s southern region and for trade with neighboring Singapore.
5. Port of Kuantan
Location: Pahang, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 500,000 metric tons
Port Area: 400 hectares
Key Cargo: Iron ore, bauxite, petroleum products
Established: 1974
Berth Length: 4,000 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 12 ships
Coordinates: 3.9837° N, 103.4274° E
Maximum Draft: 15 meters
Description:
Kuantan Port is an important gateway on Malaysia’s eastern coast, primarily serving the mining and petrochemical industries. The port handles iron ore, bauxite, and petroleum products, making it a vital export hub for raw materials. Kuantan’s strategic location along the South China Sea enhances its role in Malaysia’s trade with East Asia.
6. Port of Bintulu
Location: Sarawak, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 45 million metric tons
Port Area: 420 hectares
Key Cargo: Liquefied natural gas (LNG), timber, palm oil
Established: 1983
Berth Length: 5,500 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 15 ships
Coordinates: 3.2553° N, 113.0306° E
Maximum Draft: 14 meters
Description:
Bintulu Port is one of Malaysia’s key energy export hubs, particularly for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Located in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, the port also handles timber and palm oil, supporting both the local economy and Malaysia’s export activities. Bintulu’s modern facilities and strategic location make it a crucial port for trade with Northeast Asia.
7. Port of Kuching
Location: Sarawak, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 350,000 metric tons
Port Area: 300 hectares
Key Cargo: Timber, rubber, general cargo
Established: 1961
Berth Length: 3,000 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 10 ships
Coordinates: 1.5586° N, 110.3649° E
Maximum Draft: 10 meters
Description:
The Port of Kuching is an important river port in Sarawak, primarily serving the timber and rubber industries. The port handles general cargo and supports trade within Borneo and with the rest of Malaysia. Kuching’s strategic inland location along the Sarawak River enhances its role as a key logistics hub for the region.
8. Port of Labuan
Location: Labuan Island, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 200,000 metric tons
Port Area: 150 hectares
Key Cargo: Oil, bulk cargo, general cargo
Established: 1901
Berth Length: 2,500 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 8 ships
Coordinates: 5.2831° N, 115.2308° E
Maximum Draft: 12 meters
Description:
Labuan Port is located on Labuan Island, off the coast of Borneo, and plays a critical role in Malaysia’s oil and gas industry. The port handles oil, bulk cargo, and general cargo, supporting both local trade and the broader energy sector. Labuan’s strategic location along major shipping routes enhances its significance as a logistics hub in the region.
9. Port of Miri
Location: Sarawak, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 150,000 metric tons
Port Area: 120 hectares
Key Cargo: Timber, palm oil, general cargo
Established: 1964
Berth Length: 2,000 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 6 ships
Coordinates: 4.4143° N, 114.0089° E
Maximum Draft: 9 meters
Description:
The Port of Miri is a smaller port in Sarawak, primarily serving the timber and palm oil industries. The port handles general cargo and supports the local economy, with its strategic location enhancing its role as a key logistics hub for northern Borneo.
10. Port of Sandakan
Location: Sabah, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 300,000 metric tons
Port Area: 200 hectares
Key Cargo: Palm oil, timber, general cargo
Established: 1879
Berth Length: 2,800 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 8 ships
Coordinates: 5.8453° N, 118.0578° E
Maximum Draft: 10 meters
Description:
Sandakan Port is a key port in Sabah, known for handling palm oil and timber, two of the region’s major exports. The port also handles general cargo, supporting trade within Sabah and with neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. Sandakan’s strategic location along the Sulu Sea makes it an important hub for regional trade.
11. Port of Kota Kinabalu
Location: Sabah, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 250,000 metric tons
Port Area: 180 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, general cargo, fishery products
Established: 1905
Berth Length: 2,500 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 7 ships
Coordinates: 5.9791° N, 116.0735° E
Maximum Draft: 11 meters
Description:
Kota Kinabalu Port is a significant port in Sabah, located in the capital city of Kota Kinabalu. The port handles containers, general cargo, and fishery products, supporting both the local economy and regional trade. Its strategic location along the South China Sea enhances its role as a key logistics hub for Sabah.
12. Port of Tawau
Location: Sabah, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 200,000 metric tons
Port Area: 150 hectares
Key Cargo: Palm oil, cocoa, timber
Established: 1893
Berth Length: 2,300 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 6 ships
Coordinates: 4.2447° N, 117.8874° E
Maximum Draft: 9 meters
Description:
The Port of Tawau is located in Sabah and is a key port for the export of palm oil, cocoa, and timber. The port supports the local economy and plays a vital role in Malaysia’s trade with neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines. Tawau’s strategic location along the Celebes Sea makes it a crucial hub for regional trade.
13. Port of Tanjung Bruas
Location: Malacca, Western Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 150,000 metric tons
Port Area: 100 hectares
Key Cargo: Cement, steel, general cargo
Established: 1978
Berth Length: 2,000 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 5 ships
Coordinates: 2.2210° N, 102.1672° E
Maximum Draft: 10 meters
Description:
Tanjung Bruas is a smaller port in Malacca, primarily serving the cement and steel industries. The port handles general cargo and supports the local economy, with its strategic location along the Strait of Malacca making it an important hub for trade within the region.
14. Port of Teluk Ewa
Location: Langkawi, Northern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 100,000 metric tons
Port Area: 80 hectares
Key Cargo: Cement, limestone, general cargo
Established: 1994
Berth Length: 1,800 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 4 ships
Coordinates: 6.4298° N, 99.7624° E
Maximum Draft: 9 meters
Description:
The Port of Teluk Ewa is located on Langkawi Island and is primarily focused on handling cement, limestone, and general cargo. The port supports local industries and plays a key role in the region’s construction sector. Teluk Ewa’s strategic location along the Andaman Sea enhances its significance for regional trade.
15. Port of Lumut
Location: Perak, Western Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 90,000 metric tons
Port Area: 70 hectares
Key Cargo: Fertilizers, palm oil, general cargo
Established: 1973
Berth Length: 1,600 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 4 ships
Coordinates: 4.2293° N, 100.6237° E
Maximum Draft: 8 meters
Description:
Lumut Port is a smaller port located in Perak, primarily serving the fertilizer and palm oil industries. The port handles general cargo and supports the local economy, with its strategic location enhancing its role as a key logistics hub for the region.
16. Port of Kemaman
Location: Terengganu, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 80,000 metric tons
Port Area: 60 hectares
Key Cargo: Petroleum products, bulk cargo, general cargo
Established: 1983
Berth Length: 1,500 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 4 ships
Coordinates: 4.2441° N, 103.4472° E
Maximum Draft: 12 meters
Description:
Kemaman Port is an industrial port in Terengganu, primarily serving the petroleum and bulk cargo sectors. The port handles general cargo and supports the local economy, with its strategic location along the South China Sea making it an important hub for trade with East Asia.
17. Port of Tanjung Langsat
Location: Johor, Southern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 70,000 metric tons
Port Area: 50 hectares
Key Cargo: Chemicals, petroleum products, bulk liquids
Established: 1996
Berth Length: 1,400 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 4 ships
Coordinates: 1.4507° N, 103.8670° E
Maximum Draft: 14 meters
Description:
Tanjung Langsat is a specialized industrial port in Johor, focused on handling chemicals, petroleum products, and bulk liquids. The port supports Malaysia’s petrochemical industry and plays a critical role in the export of industrial products. Its strategic location near Singapore enhances its significance as a logistics hub in the region.
18. Port of Sepangar Bay
Location: Sabah, Eastern Malaysia
Annual Throughput: 60,000 metric tons
Port Area: 40 hectares
Key Cargo: Containers, general cargo, fishery products
Established: 2004
Berth Length: 1,200 meters
Simultaneous Berths: 3 ships
Coordinates: 6.0327° N, 116.1142° E
Maximum Draft: 10 meters
Description:
Sepangar Bay Port is a relatively new port in Sabah, located near Kota Kinabalu. The port handles containers, general cargo, and fishery products, supporting both local trade and regional exports. Sepangar Bay’s strategic location along the South China Sea makes it a vital hub for trade within the region.