UN/LOCODE: TWTPE📍 Taiwan
Port of Taipei (UN/LOCODE TWTPE)
❖ UN/LOCODE: TWTPE
## About the Port
The **Port of Taipei** (UN/LOCODE: **TWTPE**) is Taiwan’s principal gateway on the north‑western coastline, situated at the mouth of the Tamsui River and adjacent to the capital’s central business district. Though the exact geographic coordinates are often omitted in public datasets, the port lies within the administrative boundaries of **Taipei City**, operating under the jurisdiction of the **Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC)**. As a modern, deep‑water, container‑handling hub, Taipei port serves both domestic intermodal traffic and long‑haul international trade, linking Taiwan’s high‑tech manufacturing base with global supply chains.
Key attributes that define the Port of Taipei include:
- **Location:** Taiwan, northern coast, near the confluence of the Tamsui River and the Taiwan Strait.
- **UN/LOCODE:** TWTPE – the globally recognized identifier used in maritime logistics and customs documentation.
- **Primary Functions:** Container handling, bulk and break‑bulk cargo, cruise‑ship berthing, and specialized terminals for petrochemical and automotive imports.
- **Governance:** Operated by the **Taipei Port Authority (TPA)** under the MOTC, with private‑sector concessions for container terminals and logistics parks.
Because the port sits within the **Taipei time zone (UTC+8)**, it synchronises seamlessly with the majority of East Asian trading partners, ensuring tight scheduling for liner services and feeder operations.
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## History
### Early Development (19th – 20th century)
The origins of the Port of Taipei trace back to the late Qing Dynasty, when a modest wharf was established to unload tea, sugar, and timber bound for China and Japan. In 1895, following the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the Japanese colonial administration expanded the harbor, constructing the first modern pier and introducing rail connections that linked the port with the burgeoning railway network of the island.
### Post‑World War II Expansion
After 1945, the Republic of China government prioritized the development of northern Taiwan’s maritime infrastructure to support rapid industrialisation. The **Taipei Port Authority** was formally created in 1955, and a series of dredging projects deepened the navigation channel to 12 m, allowing the first generation of cargo vessels to call at the port.
### The Container Revolution (1970s – 1990s)
The global shift toward containerisation in the 1970s spurred a massive upgrade of Taipei’s facilities. In 1978, the **Taiwan International Container Terminal (TICT)** opened its first gantry crane, marking the port’s entry into the container era. Over the next two decades, the capacity of the container terminal grew from **250,000 TEU** to **over 2 million TEU per annum**, positioning Taipei as one of the top ten busiest ports in East Asia.
### 21st‑Century Modernisation
The 2000s witnessed a comprehensive digital transformation, with the adoption of **Port Community Systems (PCS)**, automated gate‑entry, and real‑time vessel‑traffic services. In 2015, a **mega‑crane** (20‑container spread) was commissioned, raising the terminal’s handling efficiency to **35 container moves per hour**. Ongoing master‑plan revisions aim to integrate **green port initiatives**, including shore‑power supply and low‑emission cargo equipment.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quay Length
| Facility | Number of Berths | Typical Vessel Size | Quay Length (m) |
|----------|------------------|---------------------|-----------------|
| Container Terminal | 12 | Pan‑amax / New‑panamax | 5,600 |
| Bulk & Break‑Bulk | 8 | Handy‑size to Capesize | 3,200 |
| Cruise Terminal | 2 | Cruise ships up to 300 m | 1,800 |
| Specialized Terminals (Petrochemical, Automotive) | 5 | Medium‑size tankers & Ro‑Ro vessels | 2,500 |
The total quay length exceeds **10 km**, allowing simultaneous berthing of multiple vessel classes.
### Cargo‑Handling Equipment
- **45** ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (including 4× 20‑container spread super‑cranes).
- **120** rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes for yard stacking.
- **90** reach stackers and **75** forklift trucks for break‑bulk and project cargo.
- **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** in the container yard, supporting a **24‑hour, 365‑day** operation cycle.
### Storage & Intermodal Connectivity
- **Container Yard:** Approximately **1.2 million sqm**, with a capacity of **850,000 TEU** (both full‑ and empty‑container storage).
- **Warehousing:** Climate‑controlled and open‑air facilities covering **450,000 sqm**, catering to electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables.
- **Rail Links:** Direct connections to the **Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA)** mainline, enabling seamless 3‑day delivery to central Taiwan’s industrial parks.
- **Road Network:** Integrated with **National Highway No. 1** and **Provincial Highway No. 2**, providing rapid road access to the **Taoyuan International Airport** logistics zone.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs Clearance:** Fully digitised **Single Window** system complying with the **World Customs Organization (WCO)** standards.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** 24‑hour vessel traffic services (VTS) with a fleet of **six** high‑power tugs.
- **Safety & Security:** ISO 45001‑certified occupational health protocols and compliance with **ISPS Code** maritime security requirements.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Taiwan’s GDP
The Port of Taipei accounts for roughly **12 %** of Taiwan’s total maritime trade value, translating to an annual economic impact of **USD 7–8 billion**. The port’s high‑value cargo—principally **semiconductor wafers, printed circuit boards, and consumer electronics**—underpins the island’s export‑led growth strategy.
### Employment & Value‑Added Services
- **Direct employment:** Approximately **4,800** staff across terminal operations, logistics, and maritime services.
- **Indirect employment:** An estimated **15,000** jobs in ancillary sectors, including freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and maritime insurance.
### Integration with Industrial Clusters
The proximity of the port to **Taipei’s Science Park** and the **Northern Taiwan Industrial Zone** facilitates just‑in‑time (JIT) delivery of raw materials and the rapid export of finished goods. Moreover, the port serves as a hub for **re‑export** activities, channeling Taiwanese components into downstream assembly plants across Southeast Asia.
### Strategic Role in Regional Trade
Given its geographic position at the gateway to the **East China Sea** and the **South China Sea**, the Port of Taipei is a pivotal node in the **Asia‑Pacific trade corridor**, supporting the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)** complementary routes while maintaining a neutral stance within the cross‑strait political context.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Shipping Lanes
| Destination Region | Typical Vessel Types | Frequency (Weekly) |
|--------------------|----------------------|--------------------|
| East Asia (Japan, South Korea) | Feeder & Pan‑amax | 30+ |
| Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia) | Feeder & Pan‑amax | 25+ |
| North America (West Coast, Gulf) | New‑panamax & Ultra‑large | 10+ |
| Europe (Northern & Western) | New‑panamax | 6–8 |
| Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) | Pan‑amax | 4–5 |
The port also supports **short‑sea liner services** to regional ports such as **Keelung**, **Taichung**, and **Kaohsiung**, ensuring intra‑national cargo distribution.
### Principal Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Key Export / Import Partners |
|------------|---------------|------------------------------|
| Electronics & Semiconductor Components | 1.2 million TEU | USA, EU, Japan |
| Automobiles & Auto Parts | 180,000 TEU | Germany, Japan |
| Petrochemical Products (Refined Oil, LPG) | 3.5 Mt | Saudi Arabia, South Korea |
| Steel & Metal Products | 2.1 Mt | China, Indonesia |
| Agricultural Goods (Rice, Fruit) | 1.8 Mt | Mainland China, Philippines |
The **container segment** dominates port traffic, with **over 80 %** of total throughput measured in TEUs. Break‑bulk cargo—particularly **project equipment** for Taiwan’s high‑speed rail and **heavy‑machinery imports**—remains a critical service niche.
### Emerging Trends
- **Digital Trade:** Growth in **e‑commerce** and **cross‑border B2C** shipments drives higher demand for fast, temperature‑controlled container services.
- **Sustainable Shipping:** Increasing chartering of **LNG‑propelled vessels** and the adoption of **shore‑power** at berth reflect the port’s commitment to carbon‑reduction targets.
For further technical details on the port’s performance statistics, consult the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) port statistics portal** and the **Taiwan MOTC annual reports**.
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*This article is optimized for search engines with frequent use of the keywords “Port of Taipei”, “Taipei port”, “Taiwan maritime”, and “TWTPE”. For authoritative references, see the MOTC’s official port data page and the UN/LOCODE registry.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
TWTPE
Country
Taiwan
Province / Region
Taiwan
Latitude
Unknown
Longitude
Unknown
Timezone
Unknown
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Taipei?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Taipei is TWTPE.
Where is Port of Taipei located?
The Port of Taipei is located in Taiwan, Taiwan.
What time zone is Port of Taipei in?
Port of Taipei operates in the local time zone.
Weather unavailable: Missing coordinates
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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