UN/LOCODE: IDBPN📍 Indonesia
Port of Balikpapan (UN/LOCODE IDBPN)
❖ Coordinates: -1.2800°N, 116.8300°E
❖ UN/LOCODE: IDBPN
## About the Port
Balikpapan Port (UN/LOCODE: **IDBPN**) serves as the principal maritime gateway for the East Kalimantan (Kalimantan Timur) province of Indonesia. Situated on the eastern shore of Borneo at **‑1.28° S, 116.83° E**, the natural harbour lies within the Balikpapan Bay, a protected inlet of the Makassar Strait. The port is administered by **Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Pelindo II)**, the state‑owned enterprise responsible for the operation of major eastern Indonesian terminals. Although the exact time‑zone designation is often omitted in public data, the facility operates on **WITA (UTC+8)**, aligning with the central Indonesian time zone. Balikpapan’s strategic position—approximately 500 km east of Banjarmasin and 1 200 km west of Makassar—makes it a logistical hub for the resource‑rich hinterland of Borneo and a vital node in the maritime supply chain of Southeast Asia.
## History
### Colonial Foundations (1900‑1945)
The origins of Balikpapan Port trace back to the Dutch East Indies era, when oil concessions granted to **Royal Dutch Shell** spurred the establishment of a modest pier to support the export of crude petroleum. By the 1930s the facility accommodated small cargo vessels and steamers, laying the groundwork for a permanent terminal.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1945‑1990)
Following Indonesia’s independence, the port was nationalised and incorporated into the national shipping network. The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in oil and gas production, prompting the Indonesian government to widen the harbor and deepen the approach channel to 10 m, enabling Panamax‑size tankers to berth. A separate **Petrokimia** terminal was added in 1979 to handle fertilizer imports, reflecting the diversification of cargo types.
### Modernisation Era (1990‑Present)
The 1990s ushered in the **Pelindo II** era of infrastructural upgrades. In 1996 a quay extension added three additional berths, and a 2004 dredging project increased the channel depth to 12 m, aligning the port with the capacity demands of super‑tanker traffic. Recent investments (2017‑2022) have focused on digitisation, automated cargo handling, and the construction of a dedicated **liquefied natural gas (LNG)** terminal to support Indonesia’s energy transition.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
Balikpapan Port currently operates **seven berths**: four general cargo berths (1.5 – 2.0 km total length), two dedicated oil‑product berths (each 250 m), and one multipurpose berth capable of handling containerised cargo. The maximum **draft** for oceangoing vessels is **12 m**, sufficient for vessels up to **70,000 DWT**.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
The terminal is equipped with **four portal cranes (30 t capacity)**, **six mobile harbour cranes (15 t capacity)**, and **two high‑capacity belt conveyors** for bulk commodities such as coal and bauxite. Container handling relies on **two Rubber‑Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes** and a **straddle carrier fleet**, achieving a peak throughput of **200,000 TEU per annum**.
### Storage and Supporting Services
Warehousing space totals **150,000 m²** of covered storage, complemented by **30,000 m³** of liquid bulk tanks for petroleum products and **20,000 m³** of grain silos. The port provides **customs clearance**, **phytosanitary inspection**, **pilotage**, and **tug‑assist services** staffed by certified maritime professionals. Advanced **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** and **e‑Port** platforms enable real‑time vessel monitoring and electronic data interchange (EDI) with shipping lines and freight forwarders.
### Connectivity
Balikpapan Port is linked to the national road network via **National Highway 13**, facilitating overland movement of goods to the interior of East Kalimantan. A **rail spur** connects the terminal to the **Trans‑Kalimantan railway**, primarily serving coal export logistics. The nearby **Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport** (BPN) supports crew changes and time‑critical shipments.
## Economic Importance
### Energy Sector Anchor
Balikpapan remains Indonesia’s premier **oil‑and‑gas hub**, handling over **70 % of the nation’s offshore crude exports**. The port’s proximity to **Lukutan** and **Balikpapan‑Mouth fields** allows for efficient loading of crude and refined products. In 2023, oil‑related cargo volumes exceeded **30 Mt**, underpinning a **USD 4.5 billion** contribution to the regional GDP.
### Industrial and Petrochemical Nexus
The **Balikpapan Industrial Estate** hosts petrochemical complexes, fertilizer plants, and heavy‑machinery manufacturers. The port’s **fertilizer terminal** processes **1.2 Mt** of ammonia and urea annually, servicing both domestic agricultural markets and export demands to the Asia‑Pacific region.
### Regional Development Catalyst
Beyond hydrocarbons, the port stimulates **logistics, fisheries, and tourism** sectors. The **Balikpapan Free Trade Zone** (FTZ) offers tax incentives that attract foreign investment in warehousing and value‑added processing. The port’s throughput growth has spurred the development of ancillary services, including ship repair yards, marine insurance brokers, and maritime training schools, collectively generating **over 15,000 direct jobs**.
### Fiscal Revenue
Fiscal data from the **Indonesian Ministry of Finance** indicates that Balikpapan Port contributes approximately **IDR 1.2 trillion** in annual customs duties and port fees, reinforcing its role as a revenue engine for both provincial and national budgets.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Shipping Corridors
Balikpapan serves as a node on Indonesia’s **Trans‑Indonesia Sea Route**, linking the **Java Sea** to the **Celebes Sea**. Regular feeder services connect the port with **Jakarta**, **Surabaya**, **Makassar**, and **Manado**, facilitating the inland distribution of construction materials, consumer goods, and agricultural produce.
### International Trade Lanes
Key international routes include:
- **Eastward to Singapore and the South‑China Sea**, primarily for the export of **crude oil, LNG, and mineral concentrates**.
- **Northwest to the Gulf of Thailand**, handling **petrochemical derivatives** and **finished steel products** destined for Thai industrial zones.
- **Southwest to the Indian Ocean via the Port of Durban**, enabling bulk coal shipments from East Kalimantan’s mining districts.
### Principal Cargo Types
| Commodity | Approx. Annual Volume (2023) | Primary Destination |
|-----------|-----------------------------|---------------------|
| Crude Oil | 30 Mt | Singapore, Rotterdam |
| LNG | 4 Mt | Japan, South Korea |
| Coal (thermal) | 12 Mt | China, India |
| Fertilizer (Urea, Ammonia) | 1.2 Mt | Philippines, Malaysia |
| Palm Oil & Palm Kernel | 0.8 Mt | EU, Middle East |
| Containerised Goods (general) | 200 k TEU | Domestic (Jakarta, Surabaya) |
The port’s **multimodal flexibility**—combining bulk, liquid, and containerised handling—allows it to adapt to shifting global demand patterns, such as the recent increase in **renewable‑energy component imports** (solar panels, battery packs) destined for East Kalimantan’s emerging green‑energy projects.
### Future Trade Outlook
Projected infrastructure upgrades—particularly the planned **deep‑water berth upgrade to 14 m draft**—are set to accommodate **VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers)** and **C‑type LNG carriers**, positioning Balikpapan Port to capture a larger share of the **Asia‑Pacific energy trade**. Additionally, a strategic partnership with **Asian Development Bank (ADB)** aims to develop a **smart logistics platform**, enhancing supply‑chain visibility and attracting high‑value cargoes such as **pharmaceuticals** and **electronics**.
---
*For further technical specifications and regulatory information, consult the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) UN/LOCODE database*(UN/LOCODE↗) *and the official Pelindo II port authority portal*(Pelindo II↗).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
IDBPN
Country
Indonesia
Province / Region
Kalimantan Timur
Latitude
-1.280000
Longitude
116.830000
Timezone
Unknown
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Balikpapan?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Balikpapan is IDBPN.
Where is Port of Balikpapan located?
The Port of Balikpapan is located in Indonesia, Kalimantan Timur. Its coordinates are -1.2800°N, 116.8300°E.
What time zone is Port of Balikpapan in?
Port of Balikpapan operates in the local time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.34 m
Wave Direction164°
Swell Height0.28 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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 Balikpapan.
Batu Ampal
Indonesia • 5 km awaySamarinda, Kalimantan
Indonesia • 94 km awayBanjarmasin
Indonesia • 336 km awayTaboneo
Indonesia • 378 km away