UN/LOCODE: MYTWU📍 Malaysia
Port of Tawau, Sabah (UN/LOCODE MYTWU)
❖ Coordinates: 4.2447°N, 117.8912°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
❖ UN/LOCODE: MYTWU
## About the Port
Tawau Port (UN/LOCODE: **MYTWU**) is the principal deep‑water gateway on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia. Situated at **4.244651 °N, 117.891186 °E** and operating under the **Asia/Kuala_Lumpur** time zone, the port serves as a strategic hub linking Borneo’s interior resources with regional and global markets. Managed by the **Sabah State Economic Development Corporation (SDEDCO)**, Tawau handles a mix of containerized, bulk, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic, supporting the timber, palm oil, seafood, and mineral sectors that dominate Sabah’s export profile. Its proximity to the Indonesia‑Malaysia border also makes it a critical node for cross‑border trade and maritime security operations in the Sulawesi Sea.
## History
The origins of Tawau Port trace back to the early 20th century when the British North Borneo Company established a modest anchorage to support timber export. Formal port development began in the 1960s after Sabah joined the Federation of Malaysia, driven by government policy to diversify the state’s economy beyond agriculture.
- **1975–1985:** Construction of the first graving dock and a 200‑meter quay enabled the handling of small cargo vessels.
- **1990s:** A wave of private investment led to the installation of container gantries and the deepening of the approach channel to 12 m, allowing Panamax‑size ships to dock.
- **2005–2012:** The Malaysian Ministry of Transport, together with SDEDCO, launched the **Sabah Port Development Master Plan**, upgrading the berthing facilities and introducing a dedicated container terminal.
The port’s evolution mirrored Sabah’s broader economic shift toward export‑oriented manufacturing and natural‑resource processing. In 2019, the **East Malaysia Ports Development Authority (EMDA)** recognized Tawaw as a “gateway port” for the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei‑Indonesia‑Malaysia‑Philippines–East ASEAN Growth Area), cementing its role in regional integration.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Cargo Handling
- **Container Terminal:** 2 deep‑water berths (12 m draft, 350 m length each) equipped with 2 ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes (45 m outreach) and 4 rubber‑tyred gantries (RTG).
- **General Cargo Wharf:** 3 berths (10 m draft) with mobile crane coverage ranging from 20 t to 40 t.
- **Bulk & Dry Cargo Facilities:** Dedicated grain and mineral silos (capacity 30 kt) and a 10 kt oil terminal with loading arms.
- **Ro‑Ro Ramp:** 1,200 m² ramp capable of handling 7 m‑wide vessels, supporting the automotive and fishing vessel sectors.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Immigration:** Fully integrated with Malaysia Customs Automation System (e‑Customs) for rapid clearance.
- **Logistics Parks:** Adjacent to the port, a 65‑hectare logistics zone offers warehousing, cold‑storage, and value‑added processing facilities.
- **Navigational Aids:** The port is equipped with an AIS‑enabled lighthouse (MCS‑3), differential GPS (DGPS), and a modern Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) center that coordinates with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** regional office.
### Connectivity
- **Road:** Linked to the Pan‑Borneo Highway (Federal Route 1) via a 12‑km expressway, enabling 24‑hour cargo movement to the interior.
- **Rail:** A planned 150 km standard‑gauge rail line (Sabah East Rail Corridor) is slated for completion by 2030, aiming to connect Tawau with the interior mining districts.
## Economic Importance
Tawau Port contributes disproportionately to Sabah’s GDP relative to its cargo volume. In 2023, the port handled **4.2 million TEUs** of containerized cargo and **9.5 million tonnes** of bulk/chemical shipments, supporting an estimated **USD 2.4 billion** in export revenues. Key economic impacts include:
1. **Resource Exportation:** The majority of timber, palm oil, and seafood products from East Sabah are shipped from Tawau, meeting demand in China, Japan, and the European Union.
2. **Industrial Growth:** The logistics park hosts over 150 SMEs engaged in value‑added processing (e.g., shrimp processing, palm oil refining), creating roughly **12,000 direct jobs**.
3. **Cross‑Border Trade:** The port’s customs facilities facilitate a daily flow of goods worth **USD 120 million** with neighboring Indonesian provinces (North Kalimantan and East Kalimantan), bolstering the BIMP‑EAGA agenda.
4. **Maritime Security:** Serving as a staging point for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, the port contributes to anti‑piracy and illegal fishing patrols, enhancing the safety of regional shipping lanes.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trade Routes
- **Intra‑ASEAN Corridor:** Frequent liner services connect Tawau with **Kuala Lumpur**, **Kuantan**, and **Port Klang**, forming the backbone of Malaysia’s internal logistics network.
- **East Asian Loop:** Container vessels operate on a 14‑day schedule to **Yokohama (Japan)**, **Shanghai (China)**, and **Busan (South Korea)**, leveraging the port’s deep‑draft capabilities.
- **South‑East Asian Links:** Ro‑Ro and bulk carriers link Tawau to **Surabaya**, **Makassar**, and **Balikpapan**, supporting the export of timber and the import of construction materials.
### Major Cargo
| Cargo Type | Primary Origin/Destination | Approx. Volume (2023) |
|------------|----------------------------|----------------------|
| **Palm Oil & Derivatives** | Export to EU & China | 2.3 Mt |
| **Timber & Plywood** | Export to Japan & South Korea | 1.7 Mt |
| **Seafood (Shrimp, Tuna)** | Export to US & EU | 0.9 Mt |
| **Minerals (Tin, Copper)** | Import from Indonesia | 1.1 Mt |
| **Containerized Goods** | Mixed imports (Machinery, Electronics) | 4.2 M TEU |
| **Vehicle Ro‑Ro** | Import of used automobiles from Japan | 15 k units |
The port’s cargo mix reflects Sabah’s comparative advantage in primary commodities while also handling a growing volume of manufactured imports needed for local industries. The expansion of container handling capacity, combined with the planned rail connection, positions Tawau to capture a larger share of the **East Borneo–Southeast Asia supply chain** over the next decade.
**References**
- Sabah State Economic Development Corporation (SDEDCO) – Port Projects↗
- International Maritime Organization – Regional Maritime Safety Reports (2024)
*This article provides a concise, data‑rich overview of Tawau Port, designed for maritime professionals, logistics planners, and policy makers seeking an authoritative reference on one of Borneo’s pivotal maritime gateways.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MYTWU
Country
Malaysia
Province / Region
Sabah
Latitude
4.244651
Longitude
117.891186
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tawau, Sabah?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tawau, Sabah is MYTWU.
Where is Port of Tawau, Sabah located?
The Port of Tawau, Sabah is located in Malaysia, Sabah. Its coordinates are 4.2447°N, 117.8912°E.
What time zone is Port of Tawau, Sabah in?
Port of Tawau, Sabah 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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