UN/LOCODE: MYBTU📍 Malaysia
Port of Bintulu, Sarawak (UN/LOCODE MYBTU)
❖ Coordinates: 3.1713°N, 113.0419°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
❖ UN/LOCODE: MYBTU
## About the Port
Bintulu Port (UN/LOCODE: **MYBTU**) is a deep‑water, multipurpose seaport situated on the western coast of Sarawak, Malaysia, at **3.171322° N, 113.041907° E**. The port operates on Malaysia Standard Time (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur, UTC +8) and serves as a strategic maritime gateway to the resource‑rich central region of Borneo. Its natural harbor, protected by a breakwater, accommodates vessels up to **30 m draught**, making it one of the few East Malaysian ports capable of handling ultra‑large crude carriers (ULCCs) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. The port is managed by **Bintulu Port Authority (BPA)**, a statutory body under the Ministry of Transport, and is integrated with the **Bintulu Integrated Petroleum Complex (BIPC)**, one of the world’s premier LNG export hubs.
Key services include container transshipment, bulk cargo handling, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and LNG berthing, timber export, and offshore support for the petroleum industry. The port’s connectivity is reinforced by the Pan Borneo Highway, the Sarawak Railway’s Bintulu–Miri line (under construction), and a network of feeder roads linking the hinterland’s logging, palm‑oil, and mining districts.
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## History
The origins of Bintulu’s maritime activity trace back to the late 19th century when the Brooke administration established a modest riverine docking station to export timber and sago. The modern port concept emerged in the early 1970s, driven by the discovery of substantial natural gas reserves in the Miri and Baram basins.
- **1978** – The Malaysian government ratified the **Bintulu Port Authority Act**, creating a statutory body to develop a deep‑water facility.
- **1993** – Construction of the first deep‑water berth (Berth 1) was completed, enabling the handling of Panamax cargo vessels.
- **2005** – The **Bintulu LNG plant** (operated by Shell) commenced commercial operations, prompting the expansion of jetty infrastructure to accommodate LNG carriers of up to 165,000 DWT.
- **2014–2019** – A series of upgrades—including the addition of a second LNG berth, a container terminal with a 400,000 TEU annual capacity, and a dedicated oil terminal—positioned the port as a regional hub for energy exports.
Throughout its evolution, Bintulu Port has remained closely aligned with Malaysia’s “East Malaysia Development Blueprint,” supporting both the nation’s export‑driven growth model and Sarawak’s push for industrial diversification.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Deep‑Water Berths
- **Berth 1 (General Cargo)** – 34 m breadth, 30 m draught, equipped with mobile gantry cranes (MGC) of 30 t capacity.
- **Berth 2 (LNG)** – Dedicated LNG terminal capable of handling LNG carriers up to **165,000 DWT**; includes cryogenic storage tanks, regasification units, and a double‑acting loading arm.
- **Berth 3 (Oil & LPG)** – Serves small tankers (≤ 80,000 DWT) with a dedicated offshore storage cluster.
### Container Terminal
- **Area:** 45 ha with a **30‑meter-wide quay**.
- **Equipment:** Six Super‑Post Panamax RTGs, two RTGs for 40‑foot container handling, and a fleet of 14 rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) cranes.
- **Capacity:** Designed for **400,000 TEU per year**, expandable to 600,000 TEU with minor upgrades.
### Bulk & General Cargo Facilities
- **Grain & Coal Handling:** Two dedicated bulkheads equipped with conveyor belts, ship loaders (up to 2,000 t/h), and grain elevators.
- **Timber Yard:** 28 ha of covered storage, featuring a 15‑meter‑high timber rack system capable of handling 5,000 m³ per day.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs & Immigration:** Fully automated clearance system integrated with Malaysia’s MySeaPort portal.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** Dedicated pilotage service (24 h) and three high‑power tugs (40 t bollard pull) for berthing assistance.
- **Repair & Ship‑Chandlery:** An on‑site shipyard offering hull repairs, bunkering, and spare‑part logistics.
The port’s **information technology backbone** includes a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) radar system, AIS integration, and a Port Community System (PCS) that enables real‑time cargo tracking and data exchange among stakeholders.
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## Economic Importance
Bintulu Port is a critical engine of Sarawak’s and Malaysia’s export economy. It accounts for **approximately 70 % of Malaysia’s LNG export volume**, positioning the country among the top five global LNG exporters. In 2023, the port handled **23 million tonnes of cargo**, with the following economic impacts:
| Metric | Figure (2023) |
|--------|----------------|
| LNG exported | 12.5 million tonnes |
| Crude oil & condensate | 4.2 million tonnes |
| Timber & pulp | 2.8 million tonnes |
| Container throughput | 360,000 TEU |
| Direct employment | ~3,200 staff |
| Indirect jobs (logistics, services) | > 12,000 |
The presence of the **Bintulu Integrated Petroleum Complex** has attracted downstream investments, including petrochemical plants, fertilizer factories, and a planned **dry‑bulk terminal for iron ore**. The port also underpins the **Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE)** by providing logistics for heavy‑equipment imports required for hydro‑electric projects.
Internationally, Bintulu’s reliable LNG supply chain has helped secure long‑term contracts with Japan’s **Mitsubishi Corp** and South Korea’s **Korea Gas Corporation**, reinforcing Malaysia’s reputation as a stable energy supplier. The port’s diversification into containerised trade supports regional supply‑chain resilience, especially for Borneo’s burgeoning e‑commerce market.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **East Asia Loop:** Regular sailings to **Yokohama, Japan**; **Busan, South Korea**; and **Incheon, South Korea**, primarily for LNG and crude oil.
- **Southeast Asian Feeder Network:** Weekly services to **Singapore**, **Kuala Lumpur**, and **Manila**, handling containerised consumer goods, palm‑oil derivatives, and timber.
- **Australia & Pacific:** Seasonal bulk carriers link Bintulu to **Port Kembla** (Australia) and **Auckland**, transporting LNG and mineral concentrates.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo | Volume (2023) | Primary Destinations |
|-------|---------------|----------------------|
| **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)** | 12.5 Mt | Japan, South Korea, Taiwan |
| **Crude Oil & Condensate** | 4.2 Mt | India, China, Europe |
| **Timber & Pulp** | 2.8 Mt | China, Japan, EU |
| **Containerised General Cargo** | 360,000 TEU | Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand |
| **Coal & Iron Ore (imports)** | 1.3 Mt | Australia, Indonesia |
The port’s **LNG berthing schedule** is coordinated through a joint venture between BPA and the Malaysia LNG Corporation (MLNG), ensuring a **tight turnaround** of 12–14 hours per vessel, which is competitive globally. Container traffic has been buoyed by the **Bintulu Free Trade Zone (BFTZ)**, allowing duty‑free warehousing and facilitating trans‑shipment of ASEAN‑origin goods.
### Future Outlook
Projected growth trajectories indicate a **9 % CAGR in LNG volumes** through 2030, driven by new long‑term sales contracts and the commissioning of a second LNG train at the BIPC. Parallel to this, container throughput is expected to rise to **500,000 TEU** by 2027, spurred by digital trade platforms and the expansion of the **Bintulu International Airport** cargo facilities.
The port’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and diversified cargo mix firmly embed it within the **global energy supply chain** while simultaneously nurturing regional trade diversification.
*For further technical details on port operations, see the official Bintulu Port Authority site.*
*Additional maritime statistics are available through the Malaysian Maritime Authority (MMA) portal.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MYBTU
Country
Malaysia
Province / Region
Sarawak
Latitude
3.171322
Longitude
113.041907
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Bintulu, Sarawak?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Bintulu, Sarawak is MYBTU.
Where is Port of Bintulu, Sarawak located?
The Port of Bintulu, Sarawak is located in Malaysia, Sarawak. Its coordinates are 3.1713°N, 113.0419°E.
What time zone is Port of Bintulu, Sarawak in?
Port of Bintulu, Sarawak operates in the Asia/Kuala_Lumpur 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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