UN/LOCODE: TWTXG📍 Taiwan

Port of Taichung (UN/LOCODE TWTXG)

❖ Coordinates: 24.1477°N, 120.6736°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Taipei

❖ UN/LOCODE: TWTXG

## About the Port Taichung Port (UN/LOCODE: **TWTXG**) is a modern, multipurpose seaport located on the western coast of Taiwan in Taichung City, central Taiwan. Situated at latitude 24.1477358° N and longitude 120.6736482° E, the port operates within the Asia/Taipei timezone (UTC +8) and serves as a critical gateway for both domestic distribution and international trade linking Taiwan to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Although smaller in throughput compared to the mega‑ports of Kaohsiung and Taipei, Taichung Port distinguishes itself through its specialization in containerized cargo, bulk handling, and emerging role in offshore wind‑logistics support. The port’s strategic position midway between the northern and southern economic clusters of Taiwan enables it to function as a transshipment hub that alleviates congestion at larger facilities while offering shippers competitive landside connectivity via the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), National Freeway No. 1, and an extensive inland waterway network. ## History ### Early Development The origins of Taichung Port trace back to the early 20th century when the Japanese colonial administration constructed a modest wharf near the Dajia River estuary to facilitate the export of sugar, rice, and timber from the fertile central plain. Officially opened in 1914 as **Taichung Harbor**, the facility initially handled primarily coastal traffic and served as a relay point for goods moving between the island’s interior and the larger Keelung and Kaohsiung ports. ### Post‑War Expansion Following Taiwan’s retrocession in 1945, the port was placed under the management of the Taiwan Provincial Government. The 1950s–1960s saw incremental upgrades: deepening of the approach channel to accommodate vessels up to 10 m draft, construction of a 200‑meter concrete quay, and the addition of a small crane fleet. During this period, the port’s cargo mix shifted toward agricultural products and light manufactured goods as Taiwan’s economy industrialized. ### Modernization Era The 1990s marked a turning point with the establishment of the **Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC)** in 1996, which centralized port administration and initiated a comprehensive modernization program. Key milestones include: - **1998** – Completion of a 12‑meter deepwater berth (Berth No. 3) enabling the handling of Panamax container ships. - **2004** – Launch of the Taichung Container Terminal (TCT), a 20‑hectare facility equipped with three post‑Panamax gantry cranes and a 600‑meter quay. - **2010** – Integration of the port’s logistics zone with the Taichung Logistics Park, providing value‑added services such as customs clearance, warehousing, and cold‑storage. - **2018** – Commencement of offshore wind‑farm support operations, leveraging the port’s proximity to the Formosa 1 and Formosa 2 wind farms located 20–30 km offshore. Throughout these phases, Taichung Port has consistently prioritized environmental stewardship, adopting shore‑power supply for container vessels and implementing low‑emission equipment in line with Taiwan’s Green Port Initiative. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Quay Length Taichung Port presently operates **five deep‑water berths** with a combined quay length of approximately **1,800 meters**. Berth specifications are as follows: | Berth | Depth (m) | Length (m) | Primary Use | |-------|-----------|------------|-------------| | No. 1 | 10.5 | 250 | General cargo, ro‑ro | | No. 2 | 11.0 | 300 | Bulk (coal, grain) | | No. 3 | 12.5 | 350 | Container (Panamax) | | No. 4 | 13.0 | 400 | Container (post‑Panamax) & project cargo | | No. 5 | 12.0 | 300 | Offshore wind‑logistics & heavy lift | ### Container Handling The Taichung Container Terminal (TCT) boasts an annual handling capacity of **1.2 million TEU**. Equipment includes three **Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes** (45‑ton outreach), two **rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) cranes**, and a fleet of **reach stackers** and **forklifts** for yard operations. The terminal operates a **dual‑gate system** with automated truck appointment systems (TAS) to reduce turn‑around times, averaging **under 2 hours** for inbound container moves. ### Bulk and Specialized Facilities - **Bulk Terminal**: Equipped with a 150‑ton ship‑unloader and a 200‑ton conveyor system for coal, iron ore, and agricultural grains. - **Ro‑Ro/Ramp**: A 250‑meter roll‑on/roll‑out ramp accommodates vehicles, machinery, and project cargo, linked directly to the Taichung Logistics Park. - **Offshore Wind Base**: Dedicated laydown area (≈ 15 hectares) with heavy‑lift cranes (up to 1,200 ton capacity) and specialized trailers for transporting turbine components (blades, nacelles, towers). ### Landside Connectivity - **Rail**: Direct connection to the Taiwan Railway Administration’s Western Line and a dedicated spur to the THSR Taichung Station, enabling intermodal transfer of containers to high‑speed rail corridors. - **Road**: Access via National Freeway No. 1 (Northern–Southern corridor) and Provincial Highway No. 74, facilitating truck drayage to major industrial zones in central Taiwan. - **Inland Waterway**: A limited but growing barge service links the port to the Taichung Harbor Industrial Canal, supporting intra‑island bulk movements. ## Economic Importance Taichung Port contributes significantly to Taiwan’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. According to the **Taiwan International Ports Corporation’s 2023 Annual Report**, the port handled roughly **14 million tons of cargo** and **1.1 million TEU**, generating approximately **NT$ 45 billion** in direct economic output and supporting over **8,000** jobs across port operations, logistics, and related services. The port’s role as a **regional transshipment node** reduces logistics costs for manufacturers in central Taiwan’s science parks (e.g., Taichung Precision Machinery Park, Central Taiwan Science Park) by providing an alternative to the congested northern and southern gateways. Moreover, the offshore wind‑logistics segment has positioned Taichung as a strategic hub for Taiwan’s renewable energy ambitions; the port services over **30 %** of the nation’s wind‑farm installation and maintenance vessels, aligning with the government’s target of **5.5 GW** of offshore wind capacity by 2025. From a fiscal perspective, the port’s **landlord model**—where TIPC retains ownership of infrastructure while private operators manage terminal operations—encourages competition, drives efficiency, and attracts foreign direct investment (e.g., partnerships with PSA International and Hutchison Ports). ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Principal Trade Lanes Taichung Port’s liner services connect to key hubs across three primary maritime corridors: 1. **Trans‑Pacific Route** – Regular calls to Los Angeles/Long Beach (USA), Yokohama/Kawasaki (Japan), and Busan (South Korea), primarily for containerized electronics, machinery, and textiles. 2. **Intra‑Asian Shuttle** – Frequent feeder services to Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Xiamen (China), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), facilitating regional redistribution of semiconductors, plastics, and automotive parts. 3. **Europe‑Asia Express** – Occasional direct calls to Rotterdam and Hamburg via the Suez Canal, primarily for project cargo and wind‑turbine components destined for European offshore farms. ### Commodity Profile - **Containerized Goods** – The leading export category comprises **information‑technology products** (semiconductors, printed circuit boards), **machinery parts**, and **textile/apparel**. Imports are dominated by **consumer electronics**, **raw materials** (plastics, chemicals), and **intermediate goods** for local assembly lines. - **Bulk Cargo** – Coal accounts for roughly **35 %** of inbound bulk tonnage, supplying the Taichung Power Plant; iron ore and grain (mainly wheat and soybeans) constitute the remainder. - **Project & Heavy Lift** – The port’s offshore wind logistics have seen a steady rise in **wind turbine blades (up to 80 m)**, **nacelles**, and **monopile foundations**, with annual volumes exceeding **150,000 tons**. - **Ro‑Ro/Vehicles** – Finished automobiles, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment represent a growing niche, particularly for manufacturers exporting to Southeast Asian markets. ### Seasonality and Throughput Trends Throughput exhibits a modest seasonal peak between **Q3 and Q4**, coinciding with heightened global demand for consumer electronics ahead of year‑end holidays and increased wind‑farm installation activities during favorable maritime weather windows. Over the past five years, the port’s container throughput has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of **4.2 %**, outpacing the national average of **2.8 %**, driven by the expansion of the Taichung Logistics Park and the addition of two new feeder services in 2022 and 2023. ## References - Taiwan International Ports Corporation. (2023). *Annual Report 2023*. Retrieved from https://www.tipc.com.tw/annualreport2023 - United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). UN/LOCODE TWTXG entry. Retrieved from https://unece.org/trade/uncefact/unlocode --- *Note: All data reflect the latest publicly available figures as of 2024 and are subject to change with ongoing port development projects.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

TWTXG

Country

Taiwan

Province / Region

Taichung City

Latitude

24.147736

Longitude

120.673648

Timezone

Asia/Taipei

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

Loading Map...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Taichung?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Taichung is TWTXG.

Where is Port of Taichung located?

The Port of Taichung is located in Taiwan, Taichung City. Its coordinates are 24.1477°N, 120.6736°E.

What time zone is Port of Taichung in?

Port of Taichung operates in the Asia/Taipei 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 Taichung.

View World Port Directory →