UN/LOCODE: MYJHB📍 Malaysia
Port of Johor Bahru (UN/LOCODE MYJHB)
❖ Coordinates: 1.4927°N, 103.7414°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
❖ UN/LOCODE: MYJHB
## About the Port
Johor Bahru Port (UN/LOCODE: **MYJHB**) sits at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, just opposite Singapore’s Keppel Harbour. Its geographic coordinates are **1.492659 ° N, 103.7413591 ° E**, placing the terminal within the fast‑growing Straits of Johor waterway. Operating under the **Asia/Kuala_Lumpur** time zone (UTC+8), the port falls under the jurisdiction of the **Johor State Government** and is managed by the **Johor Port Authority (JPA)**, a statutory body reporting to the Ministry of Transport.
Strategically positioned at the nexus of ASEAN’s eastern maritime corridor, Johor Bahru serves as a primary gateway for the **Kuala Lumpur–Singapore–Kuching** shipping axis. Its proximity to the **Johor–Singapore Causeway** and the **Malaysia–Singapore Second Link** facilitates seamless intermodal transfers between sea, rail, and road networks, making the port an integral node in the **Malaysia–Singapore Integrated Transport Corridor**.
Key identifiers used by shipping lines and customs officials:
- **UN/LOCODE:** MYJHB
- **Port Code (IMO):** 9903000
- **Telegraphic Call Sign:** WJJB
## History
The origins of Johor Bahru’s maritime facilities date to the early 20th century, when British colonial administrators established a modest dockyard to service tin‑exporting steamers. After Malaysia’s independence in 1957, the port was upgraded under the **Port Development Authority (PDA)** program, transitioning from a single‑berth slipway to a multipurpose cargo terminal.
In the 1970s, the construction of the **Johor–Singapore Causeway** and the **Peninsular Railway Line** spurred a surge in containerized trade, prompting the first major expansion of berthing capacity. The 1990s saw the installation of a dedicated **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) terminal**, aligning with the rise of vehicle exports from the northern Malay Peninsula.
The turn of the millennium brought **regional integration initiatives** such as the **ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)**, prompting the Johor Port Authority to adopt modern container handling systems and digital customs clearance platforms. A 2015 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s **Maritime and Port Authority (MPA)** established a joint‑operations framework for vessel traffic management across the Straits of Johor, enhancing safety and reducing turnaround times.
Most recently, the **Johor Bahru East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)** project, slated for completion in 2029, will connect the port directly to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, supporting the government's **National Logistics Policy** and cementing Johor Bahru’s role as a logistics hub for the **Greater Southern Peninsula**.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Docks
- **Four deep‑water container berths** (draft 12 m, quay length 1,200 m total) equipped with **Super‑Post‑Piers (SPP)** for crane operations.
- **Two dedicated Ro‑Ro berths** (draft 8 m) handling passenger ferries, automobiles, and heavy machinery.
- **General cargo terminal** with **four multipurpose berths** for break‑bulk, steel, and bulk commodities.
### Cargo‑Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Quantity | Capacity |
|-----------|----------|----------|
| Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) gantry cranes | 10 | 25 t lifting, 22 m outreach |
| Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) | 8 | 30 t lifting |
| Reach Stackers | 12 | 45 t |
| Forklifts (Electric) | 18 | 3 t – 5 t |
| Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) | 6 | 20 t |
A **container terminal automation system (CTAS)** integrates gate entry, yard planning, and vessel stowage, reducing vessel turnaround from an average of 20 hours to under 12 hours for feeder vessels.
### Storage & Yard
- **1.5 million sq m** of open‑air container yard, offering **six‑tier stacking** with a 4‑day dwell time target.
- **30,000 sq m** of temperature‑controlled warehousing for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high‑value electronics.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail link**: 2 km of on‑site rail siding connected to the **KTM West Coast Line**, supporting 40 t TEU per train.
- **Road access**: Direct connections to the **Skudai–Pontian Highway (Federal Route 5)** and the **Johor–Singapore Second Link (EDC)**, both capable of handling 12‑wheel truck traffic.
- **Customs & Inspection**: 24 / 7 **Integrated Port Clearance (IPC)** facility powered by **Malaysia’s MyRapid customs platform**.
### Ancillary Services
- **Ship‑repair yard** with a 2‑berth dry dock (draft 10 m) providing hull plating, propulsion, and marine engineering services.
- **Pilotage and towage**: A fleet of four tugs (150 t bollard pull) and a dedicated pilotage office for safe navigation through the Straits of Johor.
For a complete technical specification, see the **Johor Port Authority Annual Report 2023**.
## Economic Importance
Johor Bahru Port is a cornerstone of **Malaysia’s southern logistics belt**, contributing an estimated **RM 4.8 billion** (≈ USD 1.1 billion) in annual revenue and generating **over 12,000 direct jobs**. Its economic impact extends to several key sectors:
| Sector | Contribution |
|--------|--------------|
| **Automotive** | Handles > 70 % of Malaysia’s vehicle exports to the EU and ASEAN via the Ro‑Ro facilities. |
| **Electronics** | Acts as a transshipment hub for high‑value electronics destined for Singapore’s distribution centres. |
| **Petrochemicals** | Receives bulk imports of naphtha and LPG from the Middle East for onward processing in the Pasir Gudang industrial zone. |
| **Agriculture** | Export of palm oil and rubber products through the container terminal. |
| **Tourism** | Supports cruise‑ship berths, contributing to the state’s **RM 2 billion** tourism earnings. |
The port’s proximity to the **Iskandar Malaysia** economic corridor reinforces its role in **foreign direct investment (FDI)** attraction. Multinational logistics firms such as **DP World**, **MOL Logistics**, and **Yusen Logistics** have established regional headquarters or joint‑venture terminals within 20 km of the port, leveraging its **tax incentives** and **free‑zone status**.
Moreover, Johor Bahru Port functions as a **critical alternative gateway** for Singapore’s overflow traffic, especially during peak periods or when the **Singapore Strait** experiences congestion. This redundancy enhances the resilience of Southeast Asian supply chains and aligns with the **ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
- **North–South ASEAN Corridor**: Singapore ↔ Johor Bahru ↔ Port Klang ↔ Klang Bay, handling containerized consumer goods and automotive parts.
- **East‑West Pacific Axis**: Hong Kong/Shanghai ↔ Johor Bahru ↔ Jakarta/Bali, focusing on electronics, textiles, and perishables.
- **South‑East Asia Bulk Corridor**: Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) ↔ Johor Bahru ↔ Pasir Gudang, transporting petroleum products, fertilizers, and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
These routes are serviced by a mix of **feeder vessels (1,000–2,500 TEU)**, **Panamax container ships (up to 5,200 TEU)**, and **Ro‑Ro ferries** operating on a **daily schedule** for time‑critical cargo.
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput | Main Origins/Destinations |
|------------|----------------------------|---------------------------|
| **Containerized manufactured goods** | 45 % | China, South Korea, Japan → EU, ASEAN |
| **Automobiles & parts (Ro‑Ro)** | 20 % | Malaysia, Thailand → Middle East, Europe |
| **Bulk petrochemicals (LPG, naphtha)** | 12 % | Middle East → Malaysia; Malaysia → Singapore |
| **Dry bulk (coal, cement)** | 8 % | Indonesia, Australia → Malaysia |
| **Perishables (fresh fruit, fish)** | 5 % | Malaysia, Thailand → Singapore, Hong Kong |
| **Project cargo (machinery, turbines)** | 3 % | Global → Malaysia industrial parks |
| **Cruise passengers** | 2 % | Regional cruise itineraries (Singapore, Thailand) |
The **container throughput** reached **2.8 million TEU** in 2023, a 6 % YoY increase driven by **e‑commerce growth** and the rebound of manufacturing output post‑COVID‑19. The Ro‑Ro segment recorded a record **210,000 vehicles** handled, reflecting the surge in **electric vehicle** exports from the **Southern Malaysia automotive cluster**.
### Emerging Trends
- **Green Shipping Initiatives**: Johor Bahru is piloting **shore‑side electricity (SSE)** for vessels, aimed at reducing emissions under the **IMO 2023 Sulphur Cap**.
- **Digital Trade Facilitation**: Integration with the **ASEAN Single Window (ASW)** platform enables electronic documentation and real‑time cargo tracking.
- **Intermodal Expansion**: The forthcoming **ECRL terminal** will allow double‑stack container trains, targeting a **30 % reduction** in inland haulage costs.
For further reading on regional logistics developments, consult the **ASEAN Transport Outlook 2024** (available through the ASEAN Secretariat).
---
*Keywords*: Johor Bahru Port, MYJHB, Malaysia seaport, container terminal, Ro‑Ro facilities, ASEAN trade routes, logistics hub, port infrastructure, maritime economics, Straits of Johor.
*External references*:
- Johor Port Authority – Official Portal↗
- ASEAN Secretariat – Transport Outlook 2024↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MYJHB
Country
Malaysia
Province / Region
Johor
Latitude
1.492659
Longitude
103.741359
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Johor Bahru?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Johor Bahru is MYJHB.
Where is Port of Johor Bahru located?
The Port of Johor Bahru is located in Malaysia, Johor. Its coordinates are 1.4927°N, 103.7414°E.
What time zone is Port of Johor Bahru in?
Port of Johor Bahru operates in the Asia/Kuala_Lumpur 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 Johor Bahru.
Pasir Gudang, Johor
Malaysia • 18 km awayJurong/Singapore
Singapore • 19 km awayTanjung Pelepas
Malaysia • 25 km awaySingapore
Singapore • 27 km away