UN/LOCODE: BHKBS📍 Bahrain
Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (UN/LOCODE BHKBS)
❖ Coordinates: 26.2000°N, 50.6200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Bahrain
❖ UN/LOCODE: BHKBS
## About the Port
Khalifa Bin Salman Port (UN/LOCODE: **BHKBS**) is Bahrain’s premier deep‑water gateway, situated in the Al Muharraq Governorate at **26.2° N, 50.62° E**. Operated by the **Bahrain Port Authority (BPA)**, the terminal functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is aligned with the **Asia/Bahrain** time zone (UTC +3).
Strategically positioned at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf, Khalifa Bin Salman Port serves as a critical node linking the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies with the wider Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and European markets. The port’s deep‑draft berths (up to 16 m) accommodate ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs), bulk carriers, and roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) ships, while its integrated logistics ecosystem supports **customs clearance, free‑zone services, and multimodal hinterland connectivity**.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) published by the Bahrain Port Authority (2023) show a **container throughput of 12.4 million TEU** and **general cargo handling of 25 million tonnes**, positioning Khalifa Bin Salman as the **largest cargo hub in Bahrain** and one of the most productive ports in the Gulf region.
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## History
| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| **1975** | Inauguration as a modest general cargo pier under the name *Bahrain Port*. |
| **1999** | Renamed **Khalifa Bin Salman Port** in honour of the late Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa; initial expansion to accommodate containerised trade. |
| **2004–2007** | Phase‑I development financed by the **International Finance Corporation (IFC)** introduced a 1,600 m container terminal, modern gantry cranes, and a dedicated container freight station (CFS). |
| **2013** | Completion of **Phase‑II**, adding 800 m of quay, deeper draft (16 m), and a state‑of‑the‑art cargo handling system (CIT). |
| **2018** | Launch of the **Bahrain Logistics Zone** adjacent to the port, fostering free‑zone operations and incentivising foreign direct investment. |
| **2021–2024** | Implementation of digital customs platforms, automated gate systems, and a **Green Port Initiative** promoting low‑sulphur bunkering and shore‑power capabilities. |
The port’s evolution mirrors Bahrain’s diversification agenda, shifting from oil‑centric revenues to a services‑led economy focused on **trade facilitation, logistics, and value‑added manufacturing**.
*Reference*: Bahrain Port Authority Annual Report 2023 – BPA.gov.bh↗.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### 1. Berths & Waterway
- **Total quay length**: 2,400 m (four container berths, two bulk berths, one RoRo berth).
- **Maximum draft**: 16 m, enabling reception of 18,000‑TEU vessels.
- **Turning circle**: 1,000 m, compliant with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for safe navigation.
### 2. Container Terminal
- **Area**: 320,000 m² equipped with **nine Super‑Post‑Panda gantry cranes** (45 m outreach) and **four side‑loaders** for feeder vessels.
- **Ground handling**: Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and a **terminal operating system (TOS)** that integrates with the Bahrain Integrated Customs System (BICS).
### 3. Bulk & General Cargo
- **Dedicated bulk berths**: 2, with conveyor belts for grain, cement, and fertilizers.
- **General cargo sheds**: 150,000 m² of climate‑controlled warehousing, supporting perishables and high‑value goods.
### 4. RoRo & Passenger Facilities
- **RoRo yard**: 30 ha, supporting the import of automobiles, heavy machinery, and livestock.
- **Passenger terminal**: Recently upgraded to handle **cruise ship berthing** and **ferry services** to neighboring Gulf states.
### 5. Ancillary Services
- **Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ)**: Provides tax‑exempt status, customs‑bonded warehousing, and on‑site value‑added services (packaging, labeling, light assembly).
- **Cold‑chain facilities**: Multi‑temperature chambers (‑30 °C to +30 °C) for pharmaceuticals, seafood, and fresh produce.
- **Repair & Maintenance**: A full‑service shipyard with dry‑dock capacity for vessels up to 100,000 DWT.
### 6. Connectivity
- **Road**: Direct linkage to **Highway 30** and **Al Mulla Road**, facilitating last‑mile distribution to the Bahrain International Airport and industrial estates.
- **Rail**: While Bahrain lacks a national rail network, the port is integrated with the **Gulf Railway Project** corridor, slated for completion by 2030, offering future intermodal freight options.
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## Economic Importance
Khalifa Bin Salman Port is a **catalyst of Bahrain’s non‑oil GDP**, generating an estimated **US$ 4.5 billion** in annual economic activity (BPA, 2023). Its contributions can be dissected across three primary dimensions:
### 1. Trade Facilitation
- **Container throughput** of 12.4 million TEU represents **≈ 45 %** of Bahrain’s total maritime cargo volume, underscoring the port’s role in re‑export and transshipment activities.
- The port’s **free‑zone framework** attracts multinational logistics firms (DP World, Kuehne + Nagel) that operate regional distribution hubs, stimulating employment (≈ 12,000 direct jobs, 35,000 indirect).
### 2. Industrial Linkages
- **Petrochemical** and **aluminum** producers (e.g., Aluminium Bahrain) rely on the port for raw material imports (bauxite, alumina) and finished‑goods exports.
- The **Bahrain Logistics Zone** has attracted **over 200** companies, ranging from food processing to high‑tech electronics, enhancing the **value‑added export share** from 22 % to 31 % between 2018‑2023.
### 3. Fiscal Revenue
- Port‑related customs duties and service fees contribute **≈ 15 %** of Bahrain’s total customs revenue.
- The implementation of **digital customs clearance** reduced clearance time from 48 hours to under 12 hours, improving turnover and boosting “Port‑Turn‑Around Time (PTAT)” performance metrics.
Collectively, these factors position Khalifa Bin Salman Port as a **key logistics hub** in the Gulf, enabling Bahrain to maintain its **“Open Economy”** policy and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) exceeding **US$ 2 billion** in the past five years.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Primary Shipping Line(s) | Frequency |
|----------------------|--------------------------|-----------|
| **China (Shanghai, Ningbo)** | CMA CGM, MSC, OOCL | Weekly |
| **South Asia (Mumbai, Colombo)** | Maersk, Hanjin | 3–4 times per week |
| **East Africa (Mombasa, Djibouti)** | Hamburg Süd, PIL | Bi‑weekly |
| **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | ONE, Hapag‑Lloyd | Weekly |
| **Middle East (Jebel Ali, Khor Fakkan)** | Regional feeder services | Daily |
These routes feed into the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)** maritime silk road, with Khalifa Bin Salman Port acting as a **transshipment node** for cargo destined for the GCC, Levant, and North‑East Africa.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Annual Volume | Notable Commodities |
|----------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| **Containerised General Cargo** | 12.4 million TEU | Electronics, textiles, machinery, consumer goods |
| **Bulk Dry** | 7.8 million tonnes | Cement, grain, fertilizers, gypsum |
| **Liquid Bulk** | 2.5 million tonnes | Crude oil derivatives, chemicals, LPG |
| **RoRo** | 350,000 units | Automobiles, construction equipment, livestock |
| **Perishables** | 150,000 tonnes (cold‑chain) | Fish, meat, fruits, pharmaceuticals |
The port’s **multimodal flexibility** enables rapid cargo interchange between sea, road, and forthcoming rail links, reinforcing its **resilience** against supply‑chain disruptions.
### Emerging Trends
- **Digital Trade**: Adoption of blockchain‑based Bill of Lading (e‑BL) pilots with **TradeLens** (Maersk) aims to cut documentation processing time by 30 %.
- **Sustainability**: The **Green Port Initiative** includes on‑shore electricity supply for docked vessels, aligning with IMO 2020 sulphur cap compliance.
- **Special Economic Zones**: Expansion of the Bahrain Logistics Zone anticipates a **10 % increase** in container traffic by 2028, driven by e‑commerce and pharma logistics.
*Further reading*: International Maritime Organization – **IMO Green Shipping Initiatives↗**.
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*Keywords*: Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain maritime hub, Gulf container traffic, Bahrain Port Authority, Al Muharraq logistics, deep‑water port Bahrain, Gulf trade routes, BHSK logistics zone, UAE‑Bahrain maritime connectivity.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BHKBS
Country
Bahrain
Province / Region
Al Muharraq
Latitude
26.200000
Longitude
50.620000
Timezone
Asia/Bahrain
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port is BHKBS.
Where is Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port located?
The Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port is located in Bahrain, Al Muharraq. Its coordinates are 26.2000°N, 50.6200°E.
What time zone is Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port in?
Port of Khalifa Bin Salman Port operates in the Asia/Bahrain time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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