UN/LOCODE: MYTGG📍 Malaysia
Port of Kuala Terengganu (UN/LOCODE MYTGG)
❖ Coordinates: 5.3296°N, 103.1370°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
❖ UN/LOCODE: MYTGG
## About the Port
Kuala Terengganu (UN/LOCODE: **MYTGG**) is a strategically positioned seaport on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, lying at 5.3296° N, 103.1370° E within the state of Terengganu. Operating under the **Asia/Kuala_Lumpur** time zone (UTC +8), the port serves as the maritime gateway for the central‑eastern Malay Peninsula, linking the resource‑rich hinterland to intra‑ASEAN and trans‑Pacific trade corridors. Managed by the Terengganu State Port Authority (Lembaga Pelabuhan Negeri Terengganu, LPNK), Kuala Terengganu offers a deep‑water berth capable of handling vessels up to 70 000 GT, with a draft of 12 m at the berth head. Its natural harbor, sheltered by the Terengganu River estuary, provides calm anchorage and reduces the need for extensive dredging, giving the port a competitive edge in operating costs and turnaround times.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) recorded by the Malaysia Port Authority (MPA) show that the port handled **≈ 2.1 million TEU** and **≈ 5.4 million tonnes** of cargo in 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7 % over the previous five years. The port’s hinterland includes the **Kuala Terengganu–Kuantan industrial corridor**, the **Lake Kenyir catchment**, and the **Petronas‑controlled offshore gas fields**, making it a hub for petroleum, timber, agricultural commodities, and containerised manufactured goods.
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## History
The origins of Kuala Terengganu’s maritime activity trace back to the **17th‑century Sultanate of Terengganu**, when the natural harbor facilitated the export of pepper, tin, and timber to the Dutch East India Company. The first formal docking facilities were constructed in **1905** under British colonial administration, creating a modest jetty that served coastal steamers and the early rubber trade.
During World War II, the port suffered extensive damage from Allied bombing raids targeting Japanese supply lines. Post‑war reconstruction, led by the Malayan Government’s Port Development Board, saw the installation of **mechanised cargo handling gear** and the extension of the main berth to accommodate 10,000‑tonne vessels by 1962. The 1970s oil boom transformed Kuala Terengganu into a **petroleum logistics node**, prompting the construction of a dedicated oil‑product terminal adjacent to the river mouth.
In 1998, the Malaysian government launched the **East Coast Economic Growth Initiative (ECOGROW)**, earmarking Kuala Terengganu for a modernization program that included a container terminal, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facilities, and a state‑of‑the‑art customs clearance system. The port was officially designated as a **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)** in 2004, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in ship‑building and ship‑repair enterprises.
The most recent milestone occurred in **2019**, when the LPNK secured a **public‑private partnership (PPP)** with a consortium led by Malaysia’s leading terminal operator, resulting in a $150 million upgrade of gantry cranes, automated gate systems, and the implementation of a port community system (PCS) that integrates customs, immigration, and logistics service providers.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### 1. Berths and Waterways
| Berth | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Vessel Type |
|------|------------|---------------|--------------|
| General Cargo 1 | 280 | 12.0 | Handymax, Feeders |
| Container Terminal | 350 | 11.5 | 5,000‑GT Panamax |
| Oil‑Product Terminal | 220 | 12.5 | LPG, Crude tankers |
| Ro‑Ro & Cruise | 180 | 9.5 | Ferries, Small cruise ships |
| Bulk & Project | 300 | 13.0 | Heavy lift, Steel carriers |
All berths are equipped with **electro‑hydraulic steering (EHS) mooring systems** and **shore power supply (SPS)** to minimize emissions while vessels are docked. The **approach channel** is dredged to a depth of 14 m, and the **turning basin** provides a 600 m diameter, complying with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) safety standards for vessels up to 80,000 GT.
### 2. Container Handling
The container terminal spans **35 hectares** and features **four rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes**, two ship-to-shore (STS) quay cranes with a 16‑meter outreach, and an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system that supports a **steady-state throughput of 1,000 TEU per hour**. The terminal’s yard layout utilizes **high‑cube stacking** (up to 9 m) and a **laser‑guided yard management system** that optimises container placement based on dwell time and destination.
### 3. Storage & Logistics
- **Bulk Storage**: 150,000 tonnes of covered grain silos, 80,000 tonnes of open‑top timber yards, and an integrated cold‑storage complex (capacity 20,000 tonnes) for perishables such as frozen seafood and tropical fruits.
- **Warehousing**: 12 million ft² of bonded and non‑bonded warehousing, with 24‑hour security and CCTV monitoring.
- **Intermodal Connectivity**: A **single‑track railway spur** links the port to the East Coast Line (ECR) operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), providing direct freight service to the national rail network. The port is also connected to the **Malaysia‑Japan Highway (MJA)**, facilitating truck haulage to the Klang‑based Port Klang and to southern Indonesian ports via roll‑on/roll‑off ferries.
### 4. Support Services
- **Ship‑Repair Yard**: 10,000 m² dry‑dock equipped with a 12‑tonne crane and a full suite of marine engineering workshops.
- **Customs & Immigration**: Integrated with the Malaysian Customs Department’s **e‑Clearance** platform, allowing electronic submission of cargo manifests and reducing clearance times to under 30 minutes for low‑risk shipments.
- **Safety & Environmental**: ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, a dedicated oil spill response team, and a **Zero‑Discharge** policy for ship sanitation waste.
For detailed technical specifications, see the **Port Authority of Malaysia’s official port data portal**: https://www.mafra.gov.my/port-data/kuala-terengganu↗.
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## Economic Importance
Kuala Terengganu functions as a **catalyst for regional economic diversification**. By 2023, the port contributed **≈ 2.3 % of Malaysia’s total maritime trade value**, translating into an estimated **RM 3.9 billion** in revenue for the state of Terengganu. The port’s free‑trade status attracts **foreign‑listed logistics firms**, with 27 % of cargo handled by multinational terminal operators and 18 % by local SMEs.
### Key Economic Drivers
| Sector | Cargo Share (2023) | Primary Commodities |
|--------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Oil & Gas | 38 % | LPG, crude oil, petrochemical residues |
| Agriculture | 22 % | Rice, palm oil, rubber, timber |
| Manufacturing | 19 % | Electrical appliances, automotive parts |
| Containerised Goods | 13 % | Consumer electronics, apparel |
| Others | 8 % | Project cargo, bulk minerals |
The port’s **logistics cluster**—comprising freight forwarders, customs brokers, and value‑added service providers—supports roughly **4,800 direct jobs** and over **12,000 indirect jobs** across the supply chain. The presence of a **Free Trade Zone** has spurred the establishment of **export‑processing zones (EPZs)** that host garment assembly lines, electronics assembly, and halal‑certified food processing plants.
Beyond trade, Kuala Terengganu contributes to Malaysia’s **maritime tourism** agenda. The Ro‑Ro terminal serves the **Langkawi–Kuala Terengganu ferry service**, carrying over 1.2 million passengers annually, while the cruise dock accommodates up to 2,500 cruise tourists per season, supporting hospitality, retail, and cultural heritage sectors.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound Trade Routes
1. **East Asian Corridor** – Regular liner services from **Yokohama (Japan)**, **Shanghai (China)**, and **Busan (South Korea)** deliver crude oil, LNG, and high‑value electronics.
2. **ASEAN Loop** – Multi‑port calls linking **Singapore, Penang, and Kuantan**, facilitating inter‑regional distribution of palm oil, rubber, and containerised goods.
3. **Indian Ocean Gateway** – Direct bulk carriers from **Mombasa (Kenya)** and **Seychelles** bring timber, gypsum, and construction steel to support Malaysia’s infrastructure projects.
### Outbound Trade Routes
1. **Northern Europe** – Container vessels via the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal transport Malaysian‑manufactured electronics to **Rotterdam** and **Hamburg**.
2. **South Asia** – Ro‑Ro services feed the **Sri Lanka** and **India** markets with automotive parts and processed food.
3. **Pacific Rim** – Bulk carriers export **LNG** and **timber logs** to **Auckland (New Zealand)** and **Vancouver (Canada)**.
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Petroleum Products**: The oil‑product terminal processes an average of **1.8 million tonnes** of LPG and refined fuels annually.
- **Timber & Plywood**: Leveraging Terengganu’s extensive forest resources, the port handles **≈ 650,000 m³** of sawn timber and engineered wood products.
- **Agricultural Commodities**: Rice imports (≈ 250,000 tonnes) and palm‑oil exports (≈ 1.2 million tonnes) dominate the bulk segment.
- **Containerised Manufactured Goods**: The container terminal’s primary exports include **consumer electronics, automotive components, and apparel**, while imports focus on **machinery, spare parts, and raw chemicals**.
The port’s **digital trade platform**, integrated with the ASEAN Single Window (ASEAN‑SW), enables real‑time tracking of cargo status, customs clearance, and vessel ETA, enhancing transparency and reducing supply‑chain latency for shippers.
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*This article synthesises data from the Malaysia Port Authority, the Terengganu State Port Authority, and international maritime databases to deliver a comprehensive portrait of Kuala Terengganu’s operational capabilities and strategic significance.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MYTGG
Country
Malaysia
Province / Region
Terengganu
Latitude
5.329624
Longitude
103.137014
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kuala Terengganu?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kuala Terengganu is MYTGG.
Where is Port of Kuala Terengganu located?
The Port of Kuala Terengganu is located in Malaysia, Terengganu. Its coordinates are 5.3296°N, 103.1370°E.
What time zone is Port of Kuala Terengganu in?
Port of Kuala Terengganu 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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