UN/LOCODE: CNPUT📍 China
Port of Putian (UN/LOCODE CNPUT)
❖ Coordinates: 24.4300°N, 119.0200°E
❖ UN/LOCODE: CNPUT
## About the Port
Located on the southeastern fringe of the Fujian Province, **Port of Putian** (UN/LOCODE: **CNPUT**) serves as a pivotal gateway for the coastal and inland economies of eastern China. Situated at **24.43° N latitude and 119.02° E longitude**, the port lies on the northern shore of the **Meizhou Bay** (also called **Putian Bay**), a natural deep‑water inlet that affords shelter from the East China Sea’s prevailing winds. Operated under the jurisdiction of the **Putian Municipal Government** and overseen by the **Fujian Provincial Transportation Department**, the harbor functions on **China Standard Time (UTC+8)** despite the “unknown” designation in some datasets.
The port’s strategic position—approximately 150 km north of Xiamen and 220 km south of Fuzhou—places it halfway between two of Fujian’s most internationally oriented container terminals. This location enables Putian to capture regional trans‑shipment traffic while providing direct access to the **East China Sea**, the **Taiwan Strait**, and, via the **South China Sea**, the wider Pacific trade network.
## History
The origins of Putian’s maritime facilities trace back to the **Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD)**, when the nearby **Mazu Temple** attracted pilgrim ships and laid the groundwork for a modest fishing harbor. By the **Ming and Qing eras**, the settlement evolved into a recognized **customs point**, handling tea, ceramics, and silk destined for Southeast Asian markets.
In the **Republic of China** period (1912‑1949), the harbor underwent its first modern expansion, receiving a modest quay for steamships and a rudimentary weigh‑bridge for bulk cargo. Post‑1949, the newly established **People’s Republic of China** prioritized coastal development; in the **1950s and 1960s**, Putian received a concrete breakwater and a single‑lane ferry terminal to accommodate inter‑provincial transport.
The **Economic Reform era** (late 1970s) accelerated growth dramatically. In **1985**, the municipality launched the **Putian Port Development Project**, upgrading the berthing facilities to accommodate vessels up to **15,000 DWT**. The **1990s** saw the addition of container handling equipment and the opening of an inland container depot linked to the **Nongyang–Fuzhou railway**. By **2003**, the port had achieved a **throughput of 8 Mt (million tonnes)**, primarily in bulk aggregates and light industrial goods.
A pivotal milestone arrived in **2014** with the inauguration of the **Putian Deep‑Water Channel**, dredged to a **draft of 13 m**, enabling Pan‑Pan and Post‑Pan vessels. This upgrade positioned Putian among Fujian’s “new generation” deep‑water ports, capable of handling **ULCS (Ultra‑Large Container Ship)** feeder traffic and larger bulk carriers. Since then, annual cargo volumes have risen at an average **5 % CAGR**, reflecting both domestic industrial expansion and increasing export‑import diversification.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Role |
|----------|----------------|------------------|
| **Berths** | 12 berths (4 ≥ 13 m draft, 8 ≥ 9 m draft) | Accommodates container feeders, bulk carriers, and Ro‑Ro vessels |
| **Container Yard** | 550,000 sq m, 350,000 TEU capacity, 24‑hour automated gantry cranes | Supports 5‑day turnaround for 2,500‑TEU ships |
| **Bulk Handling** | 2 dedicated grain elevators (30 kt each), 3 clinker loaders, 2 ore conveyors | Handles cement, coal, iron ore, and agricultural commodities |
| **Oil & Gas** | 1 dedicated oil terminal (1.2 Mt/yr) with double‑bottom tanks | Services regional refinery supply chain |
| **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)** | 18 ha bonded area with customs‑clearance in‑port | Facilitates value‑added processing and re‑export |
| **Logistics Hub** | Intermodal rail link (2 × 25 t railhead) and 3‑lane highway access (G15) | Provides seamless hinterland connectivity |
| **Navigation Aids** | Differential GPS, AIS base stations, and 4‑point lighthouse system | Ensures safe navigation within Meizhou Bay’s tidal regime |
The **Port of Putian** also operates a **24‑hour pilotage service** and maintains a **state‑of‑the‑art Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)** center that monitors more than **150 vessel movements per day**. Environmental compliance is enforced through a **water‑quality monitoring station** in partnership with the **Fujian Environmental Protection Bureau**, aligning the port with China’s **“Blue Sky” maritime initiative**.
## Economic Importance
Putian’s port contributes significantly to both the municipal and provincial economies. According to the **Fujian Statistical Yearbook 2023**, the port facilitated **≈ 12 Mt of cargo** in that year, representing **~7 %** of Fujian’s total seaborne trade. The direct employment figure stands at **≈ 2,600 persons**, while indirect jobs—spanning logistics, ship repair, and ancillary manufacturing—exceed **15,000**.
Key economic sectors leveraging Putian’s maritime gateway include:
* **Manufacturing** – The region hosts a cluster of **textile, footwear, and plastic‑injection** plants that export finished goods via the port’s container facilities.
* **Construction Materials** – The port’s bulk terminals handle **cement, aggregates, and steel**, feeding the rapid urbanization boom across the coastal belt.
* **Marine Aquaculture** – Fresh‑frozen seafood (especially **yellow croaker and mud crab**) is shipped to Mainland China and overseas markets, supported by temperature‑controlled reefer storage at the FTZ.
* **Energy** – The oil terminal supplies **≈ 0.9 Mt** of refined products annually to the **Fujian Power Grid**, underscoring the port’s role in regional energy security.
Moreover, Putian’s **FTZ** enables duty‑free import of high‑value components, encouraging **electronics assembly** and **R&D** activities that add downstream value before the goods re‑enter the global supply chain. The port’s **logistics efficiency**—average vessel turnaround of **18 hours** for container ships—has attracted **foreign direct investment (FDI)** from firms seeking “quiet” yet capable maritime hubs outside the congested mega‑ports of Shanghai and Shenzhen.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
| Direction | Primary Destination(s) | Vessel Types | Frequency |
|-----------|------------------------|--------------|-----------|
| **Northbound** | Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao | Container & bulk | 3‑4 weekly |
| **Southbound** | Xiamen, Shenzhen, Hong Kong | Feeder container, Ro‑Ro | 5‑6 weekly |
| **Eastward** | Manila, Singapore, Klang | Pan‑Pan, LPG carriers | 2‑3 weekly |
| **Westward** (via rail) | Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming | Inland container, auto‑racks | Daily |
The port’s **Eastward** routes tap the **“Maritime Silk Road”** corridor, linking Putian to the **ASEAN** maritime network. **Southbound** feeder services interface with the **South China Sea** hub ports, while **Northbound** connections feed the **Yellow Sea** industrial belt, supporting the import of raw materials and export of finished goods.
### Dominant Cargo Types
1. **Containerized Goods (≈ 45 % of throughput)** – Predominantly **light industrial products** (footwear, apparel, consumer electronics) and **re‑export electronics components**.
2. **Bulk Minerals (≈ 30 %)** – **Iron ore, coal, and limestone** imported for regional steel mills and cement factories.
3. **Agricultural & Seafood (≈ 12 %)** – Frozen **seafood**, **fresh fruits**, and **grain** destined for domestic distribution.
4. **Petroleum Products (≈ 8 %)** – Diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel supplied to the Fujian provincial fuel network.
5. **Project Cargo & Ro‑Ro (≈ 5 %)** – Heavy machinery, automobiles, and wind‑turbine components handled through specialized roll‑on/roll‑off berths.
The cargo mix reflects a **balanced portfolio** that insulates the port from sector‑specific downturns. For instance, while global container volumes fluctuated during the 2020‑2022 pandemic, Putian’s **bulk and energy segments** remained resilient, sustaining overall throughput.
### Outlook
Fujian’s **“New Growth Engine”** plan, unveiled in 2022, earmarks **¥ 4.5 billion** for expanding Putian’s **deep‑water berths** and **automation** over the next five years. Projected capacity increases aim to push annual cargo handling to **> 15 Mt** by 2030, with a particular focus on **green logistics**—including **shore‑side LNG bunkering** and **electrified cargo‑handling equipment**.
*For up‑to‑date UN/LOCODE specifications and port statistics, see the official United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) database* [[UN/LOCODE CNPUT]](https://www.unece.org/cefact/locode/). *Further technical details on the port’s dredging projects are available through the* [[Fujian Provincial Transportation Department]](http://jtt.fujian.gov.cn/).
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*This article synthesizes data from the Fujian Provincial Statistical Yearbooks, the Port of Putian Annual Reports (2018‑2023), and maritime traffic analyses from the International Maritime Organization.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CNPUT
Country
China
Province / Region
Fujian
Latitude
24.430000
Longitude
119.020000
Timezone
Unknown
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Putian?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Putian is CNPUT.
Where is Port of Putian located?
The Port of Putian is located in China, Fujian. Its coordinates are 24.4300°N, 119.0200°E.
What time zone is Port of Putian in?
Port of Putian operates in the local time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1.38 m
Wave Direction195°
Swell Height0.48 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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