UN/LOCODE: CNMWN📍 China
Port of Mawan Port (UN/LOCODE CNMWN)
❖ Coordinates: 22.4500°N, 113.8800°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Shanghai
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNMWN
## About the Port
Mawan Port (UN/LOCODE: **CNMWN**) is a strategically situated maritime hub in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, lying at **22.45° N, 113.88° E** within the **Asia/Shanghai** time zone. The port forms part of the vast Pearl River Delta (PRD) network, directly servicing the industrial belt that includes Shenzhen, Dongguan, and the greater Guangzhou metropolitan area. Its deep‑water berths accommodate vessels up to **120 m** draught, while the adjacent natural harbor offers protection from the South China Sea’s monsoonal swells.
Mawan is managed by the **Guangdong Port Authority**, operating under the oversight of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. It is incorporated into the national **“Maritime Silk Road”** initiative, linking China’s coastal economies to Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. The port’s logistics ecosystem is supported by an extensive hinterland rail‑to‑road network, including the Guangzhou‑Shenzhen high‑speed railway and the China National Highway 107 (G107).
*Key identifiers*:
- **UN/LOCODE**: CNMWN
- **Customs code**: 440300 (Guangdong)
- **Time zone**: UTC + 8 (Asia/Shanghai)
- **Coordinates**: 22.45 N, 113.88 E
For official code verification, consult the UN/LOCODE database[^1].
---
## History
### Early Development (1950s‑1970s)
Mawan’s origins trace back to the post‑World War II era when the PRD was earmarked for heavy‑industry expansion. Initial facilities consisted of modest slipways and a single grain pier built in 1953 to serve coastal fisheries.
### Reform & Opening (1980s‑1990s)
The 1980s economic reforms catalyzed a rapid upgrade of Mawan’s infrastructure. In 1985, the first container terminal was commissioned, introducing **Pan‑Asian containerization** to the port. By 1992, throughput had surpassed **5 million TEU**, driven by the burgeoning export of textiles and electronic components from nearby factories.
### Modernization (2000s‑Present)
The turn of the millennium saw a series of public‑private partnerships (PPPs) that financed automated gantry cranes, a dedicated **cold‑storage complex**, and a deep‑water LNG terminal (operational 2009). In 2015, the port was integrated into the **Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area** development plan, prompting a capacity boost to over **20 million TEU per annum** by 2021.
Mawan continues to evolve under China’s “dual‑circulation” policy, emphasizing high‑value, technology‑intensive cargo while maintaining robust bulk‑commodity handling capabilities.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Two container terminals** (CT‑1 & CT‑2) with a combined quay length of **4.2 km**.
- **13 quay cranes** (including 5 Super‑Post‑Pandora 4‑R series) delivering a peak handling rate of **90 TEU per crane per hour**.
- **Automated guided vehicle (AGV) system** covering **1.1 km²** of yard space, enabling 24‑hour operations.
### Bulk & General Cargo
- **Four bulk berths** capable of loading/unloading **iron ore, coal, and ferro‑silicon** up to **80,000 tonnes per vessel**.
- A **dedicated grain terminal** with a **250,000‑tonne annual capacity**, featuring conveyor‑belt loaders and ship‑shuttle silos.
### Specialized Facilities
- **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal** (capacity 5 Mtpa) equipped with cryogenic storage tanks and double‑acting loading arms.
- **Cold‑chain logistics park** (15 ha) supporting perishable exports such as seafood and fresh produce, with temperature‑controlled warehouses ranging from -18 °C to +8 °C.
### Connectivity & Support Services
- **Rail link**: Direct connection to the Guangzhou–Shenzhen Railway (Class Ⅰ), enabling 12‑hour door‑to‑port transit for 70 % of regional cargo.
- **Road access**: Four‑lane expressways linking the port to the G107, G15, and the Shenzhen‑Shantou Expressway.
- **Customs & Inspection**: On‑site **Single Window** platform facilitating electronic clearance for import/export documentation.
For a technical overview of Chinese port standards, see the Ministry of Transport’s port classification guidelines[^2].
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Growth Engine
Mawan Port contributes directly to Guangdong’s GDP, accounting for an estimated **4.3 %** of the province’s total maritime trade value (2023 data). The port’s throughput supports more than **1,200 manufacturing enterprises**, ranging from PCB assembly to automobile components.
### Employment & Skill Development
The port complex employs over **9,000** permanent staff, with an additional **15,000** indirect jobs generated through logistics, freight forwarding, and ancillary services. Specialized training centers on‑site provide certifications in **maritime safety, container handling, and hazardous materials management**.
### Trade Balance and Revenue
In 2022, Mawan handled **19.8 million TEU** and **85 million tonnes** of total cargo, yielding a net revenue of **CNY 12.4 billion**. The export‑import split is roughly **58 %** outbound (electronics, machinery, and consumer goods) and **42 %** inbound (raw materials, energy, and foodstuffs).
### Strategic Role in Belt & Road
As a node in the **Maritime Silk Road**, Mawan enables seamless cargo flow to ASEAN member states, South Asia, and the Middle East. The port’s LNG terminal, in particular, underpins China’s energy security strategy by receiving shipments from Qatar, Australia, and the United States.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Dominant Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) |
|----------------------|----------------------|------------------|
| Shanghai, China | Container feeder ships | Daily |
| Port Klang, Malaysia | Bulk carriers (coal, iron ore) | 3‑4 per week |
| Busan, South Korea | Ro‑Ro & container ships | 5 per week |
| Rotterdam, NL | Ultra‑large container vessels (ULCV) | 2 per week |
| Santos, Brazil | Bulk carriers (iron ore) | 1 per week |
| Singapore | LNG carriers & container ships | 7 per week |
The port’s **depth of 14 m** accommodates Pan‑amax and post‑Panamax vessels, while the **LNG berth** handles ships up to **300,000 DWT**.
### Core Cargo Profiles
- **Electronics & Finished Goods**: Smartphones, printed circuit boards, and consumer appliances dominate outbound container loads, reflecting the PRD’s high‑tech manufacturing base.
- **Raw Metals & Minerals**: Iron ore from Australia and Brazil, as well as metallurgical coal from Indonesia, constitute 32 % of inbound bulk cargo.
- **Energy Products**: LNG imports, refined petroleum, and petrochemical feedstocks form a critical supply chain for Guangdong’s petro‑chemical parks.
- **Agricultural Commodities**: Soybeans, corn, and frozen seafood are the principal inbound and outbound dry‑bulk and refrigerated cargoes, facilitated by the port’s cold‑chain hub.
### Emerging Trends
- **Green Shipping**: Mawan is trialing **dual‑fuel LNG‑bunkering** at its LNG terminal to support vessels aiming for IMO 2023 emissions caps.
- **Digital Trade**: The Single Window system is being upgraded to incorporate **blockchain‑based Bill of Lading (BoL) verification**, reducing clearance times by an estimated **15 %**.
---
### References
[^1]: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). *UN/LOCODE Code List* – https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/
[^2]: Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China. *Port Infrastructure Standards* – http://www.moc.gov.cn/
---
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNMWN
Country
China
Province / Region
Guangdong
Latitude
22.450000
Longitude
113.880000
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mawan Port?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mawan Port is CNMWN.
Where is Port of Mawan Port located?
The Port of Mawan Port is located in China, Guangdong. Its coordinates are 22.4500°N, 113.8800°E.
What time zone is Port of Mawan Port in?
Port of Mawan Port operates in the Asia/Shanghai time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Mawan Port.
Chiwan Port
China • 3 km awayShekou Port
China • 5 km awayShenzhen Baoan
China • 12 km awayHong Kong
Hong Kong • 24 km away