Ports & Harbours of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
YearMaps maps 92 harbours on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, in 8 countries and territories. The largest by the World Port Index's harbour size are Bangkok, Manila, Lon Shui Terminal, Tapis Marine Terminal A, Palembang and Kampong Saom. 4 are written up in full below, and every harbour is listed with its depths, tidal range and the largest ships it takes.
The South China Sea stretches from Singapore and the Gulf of Thailand to the Taiwan Strait, bordered by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Indonesia. The maritime Silk Road ran across it to Guangzhou, Hong Kong grew at the mouth of the Pearl River, and its reefs and islands, the Spratly and Paracel groups among them, are claimed by several states.
- Harbours
- 92
- Countries
- 8
- Large Harbours
- 4
- Written Up
- 4
Map of the Ports of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
Blue dots are the harbours of the World Port Index; tap or click one to open its entry. Use the layer panel to add trade routes, rivers and historical borders.
Harbours of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand in Detail
The 4 harbours of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand with an encyclopedia article, each with its figures from the World Port Index.
Huangpu
Small harbour · China
Port of Guangzhou is the main seaport of Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, China. The port is operated by Guangzhou Port Group Co. Ltd which is a state owned company. The company was established on February 26, 2004, from the former Guangzhou Harbor Bureau. It was approved by the Guangzhou Municipal Government. It is currently the largest comprehensive port in South China. Its international maritime trade reaches over 300 ports in more than 80 countries and districts worldwide. The port also incorporates the former Huangpu Port.
The port also serves as the important economic and transport center for the Pearl River Delta region and Guangdong province. It is also vital transport hub for industries located in neighboring provinces such as Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Guangzhou (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Small
- Channel depth
- 38.4 m
- Anchorage depth
- 38.4 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 42.1 m
- Tidal range
- 2 m
- Largest vessel
- medium vessels
- Country
- China
- Province
- Guangdong
- Coordinates
- 23.0800°, 113.4200°
More about Huangpu
History
Guangzhou was an important port during the ancient times as far back as the Qin dynasty. It served as a trading port as the "Silk Road on the Sea".
The port became one of China's busiest ports during the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty.
Geography
Guangzhou Port is situated at the intersection of the three most important rivers of Dongjiang, Xijiang and Beijiang in South China. All the three rivers have the waterway, railway, expressway and air lines intersecting here, thus forming a critical transportation hub. It is the main port of focus in the Pearl River Delta Region.
The port's harbor area extends along the Pearl River coast and water areas in the cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The port being situated beyond the entrance of Pearl River opening serve as a gateway for shipping activity for other Harbor area such as Nansha Harbor Area, Xinsha Harbor Area, Huangpu Harbor Area and Inner Harbor Area, and Nansha Harbor Area near Hong Kong.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Guangzhou (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Zhangzhou
Small harbour · China
The Port of Meizhou Bay was created in 2012 by merging the ports of Quanzhou, Meizhou Island and Putian, as part of Fujian Province's rationalization of ports, which cutting down the number of ports in the province into three large consolidated ports (Xiamen, Meizhou Bay and Fuzhou). In 2012, Meizhou Bay port had 147 berths, 24 with 10,000DWT capacity, and had a total cargo throughput of 114 million tonnes.
Port of Quanzhou (Chinese: 泉州港) is a seaport with a number of facilities in Quanzhou prefecture-level city, in the southeastern part of Fujian province (Minnan), China. Its UN/LOCODE is CNQZJ.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Meizhou Bay (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Small
- Channel depth
- 34.7 m
- Anchorage depth
- 31.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 45.7 m
- Tidal range
- 4 m
- Country
- China
- Province
- Fujian
- Coordinates
- 24.6800°, 118.1500°
More about Zhangzhou
History
Port of Quanzhou was the busiest port during the era of the Tang dynasty. The port peaked in activity during the Yuan Dynasty. The medieval western travellers to China; Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Giovanni de' Marignolli, and Odoric all have transited through Quanzhou. Polo labelled it as one of world's the largest port and Battuta equated the port to the Port of Alexandria during the time.
The port has facilities in four bays of Taiwan Strait. They are Meizhou Bay, Quanzhou Bay, Shenhu Bay and Weitou Bay. It is managed by the Quanzhou Port Authority.
Weitou Bay 围头湾 (24.518213°N 118.575161°E / 24.518213; 118.575161) - with facilities in the towns of Shijing, Shuitou, and Anhai.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Meizhou Bay (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Yangpu
Very Small harbour · China
The Port of Yangpu (Chinese: 洋浦港口; pinyin: Yángpǔ Gǎngkǒu) is a seaport located within the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Yangpu Peninsula, Hainan, China.
It has 25 berths with 15 shipping lines to Singapore, Vietnam and the Middle East, and is the biggest import and export port in the South China Sea. It is operated by SDIC Yangpu Ltd.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Yangpu (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Channel depth
- 42.1 m
- Anchorage depth
- 42.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 31.1 m
- Tidal range
- 2 m
- Largest vessel
- medium vessels
- Country
- China
- Province
- Shanghai
- Coordinates
- 19.7300°, 109.1800°
Kuala Belait
Very Small harbour · Brunei
The Kuala Belait Port (Malay: Pelabuhan Kuala Belait), also known as Kuala Belait Wharf, is a port operated by both the Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Maritime and Port Authority Brunei Darussalam (MPABD). The port can only accommodate low-draught ships. It is one of the only three existing ports in the country.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Kuala Belait Port (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Anchorage depth
- 56.7 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 56.7 m
- Country
- Brunei
- Province
- Belait
- Coordinates
- 4.6300°, 114.2000°
More about Kuala Belait
History
The Royal Brunei Navy held an Open Ship & Career Exhibition at the port on 15 December 2007. On 30 September 2021, the MPABD building in the government wharf was lit up blue in conjunction to the World Maritime Day.
Geography
The port sits at the east bank of the Belait River, opposite of Sungai Teraban and not far from the District's capital Kuala Belait. It has a shallow depth of 8 ft (2.4 m). Kuala Belait port is also one of the closest sea facility from Sarawak, Malaysia. It can also be noted that only Muara Port and Kuala Belait Port provided shipping to Hong Kong, Singapore and other parts of Asia. The location allowed ships to have full access to the South China Sea.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kuala Belait Port (CC BY-SA 4.0).
All Harbours of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
92 harbours, the largest first by the index's harbour size. Channel depth and tidal range set the physical limit on which ships can call. 24 of them are recorded in the source with the city they serve.
| Harbour | Country | Size | Channel | Anchorage | Tide | Largest vessel | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Thailand | Major | 42.1 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Manila | Philippines | Major | 38.4 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Lon Shui Terminal | China | Major | 5.5 m | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Tapis Marine Terminal A | Malaysia | Major | 5.5 m | — | — | large vessels | |
| Palembang | Indonesia | Medium | 53 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Kampong Saom | Cambodia | Medium | 42.1 m | 31.1 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Kota Kinabalu | Malaysia | Medium | 42.1 m | — | 1 m | large vessels | |
| Sattahip | Thailand | Medium | 42.1 m | 5.5 m | — | — | |
| Guangzhou | China | Medium | 31.1 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Shekou | China | Medium | 31.1 m | 31.1 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Fang-Cheng | China | Medium | 23.8 m | 34.7 m | 4 m | medium vessels | |
| San Fernando Harbor | Philippines | Medium | 23.8 m | 9.1 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Chaozhou | China | Medium | — | 31.1 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Huangpuxingang | China | Small | 56.7 m | 45.7 m | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Nghe Tinh | Vietnam | Small | 53 m | 42.1 m | 2 m | — | |
| Kuching | Malaysia | Small | 49.4 m | — | 4 m | medium vessels | |
| Dongshan | China | Small | 45.7 m | 49.4 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Victoria | Malaysia | Small | 45.7 m | — | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Basuo | China | Small | 42.1 m | 34.7 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Muara Harbor | Brunei | Small | 42.1 m | 38.4 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Shan T Ouserves Shantou | China | Small | 42.1 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Vinh Cam Ranhserves Cam Ranh | Vietnam | Small | 42.1 m | — | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Huangpu | China | Small | 38.4 m | 38.4 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Kirteh Oil Terminal | Malaysia | Small | 34.7 m | 9.1 m | — | large vessels | |
| Nha Trang | Vietnam | Small | 34.7 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Sapangar Bay | Malaysia | Small | 34.7 m | 9.1 m | 1 m | — | |
| Zhangzhou | China | Small | 34.7 m | 31.1 m | 4 m | — | |
| Bintulu Portserves Bintulu | Malaysia | Small | 31.1 m | — | 1 m | large vessels | |
| da Nang | Vietnam | Small | 31.1 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Kuantan New Portserves Kuantan | Malaysia | Small | 31.1 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Laem Chabang | Thailand | Small | 31.1 m | 27.4 m | 3 m | large vessels | |
| Yantian | China | Small | 27.4 m | 9.1 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Lutongserves Miri | Malaysia | Small | 9.1 m | — | 4 m | large vessels | |
| Dabo | Indonesia | Very Small | 56.7 m | 53 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Pangkalpinang | Indonesia | Very Small | 56.7 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Tanjungpinang | Indonesia | Very Small | 56.7 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Aparri | Philippines | Very Small | 53 m | 12.8 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Mariveles | Philippines | Very Small | 53 m | 5.5 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Sibu | Malaysia | Very Small | 53 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Tarempah | Indonesia | Very Small | 53 m | 5.5 m | — | — | |
| Thanh Hoa | Vietnam | Very Small | 53 m | 45.7 m | 2 m | — | |
| Bintangor | Malaysia | Very Small | 49.4 m | 53 m | 3 m | — | |
| Phsar Ream | Cambodia | Very Small | 49.4 m | 34.7 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Pontianak | Indonesia | Very Small | 49.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Ramba | Indonesia | Very Small | 49.4 m | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Sungaigerong | Indonesia | Very Small | 49.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Sanya | China | Very Small | 45.7 m | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Sarikei | Malaysia | Very Small | 45.7 m | 34.7 m | 10 m | — | |
| Toboali | Indonesia | Very Small | 45.7 m | 45.7 m | 10 m | medium vessels | |
| Cat Lai | Vietnam | Very Small | 42.1 m | 49.4 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Songkhla Harborserves Songkhla | Thailand | Very Small | 42.1 m | — | 1 m | large vessels | |
| Tg. Mani | Malaysia | Very Small | 42.1 m | 42.1 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Yangpu | China | Very Small | 42.1 m | 42.1 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Chiwan | China | Very Small | 38.4 m | 53 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Haikou | China | Very Small | 38.4 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Huizhou | China | Very Small | 38.4 m | 34.7 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Khanom | Thailand | Very Small | 38.4 m | 31.1 m | — | — | |
| Kijang | Indonesia | Very Small | 38.4 m | 5.5 m | — | large vessels | |
| Map Ta Phut | Thailand | Very Small | 38.4 m | — | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Shui Dong | China | Very Small | 38.4 m | 38.4 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Tanjunguban | Indonesia | Very Small | 38.4 m | 9.1 m | — | large vessels | |
| Basco | Philippines | Very Small | 34.7 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Beihai | China | Very Small | 34.7 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Duong Dong | Vietnam | Very Small | 31.1 m | 34.7 m | — | large vessels | |
| Jabung Batanghari Marine Terminal | Indonesia | Very Small | 31.1 m | 27.4 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Masinloc | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 9.1 m | 1 m | — | |
| Qinzhou | China | Very Small | 31.1 m | — | 5 m | large vessels | |
| Xiuyu | China | Very Small | 31.1 m | 42.1 m | 5 m | medium vessels | |
| Bang Saphan | Thailand | Very Small | 27.4 m | 20.1 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Si Racha Terminalserves Si Racha | Thailand | Very Small | 27.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Port San Vicente | Philippines | Very Small | 20.1 m | 31.1 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Rayong Tpi Terminalserves Rayong | Thailand | Very Small | 16.5 m | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Tanjung Balai Karimun | Indonesia | Very Small | 9.1 m | 16.5 m | 3 m | large vessels | |
| Bongkot Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | — | large vessels | |
| Claveria | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | — | |
| Erawan Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | — | large vessels | |
| Ko Si Chang Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | 5.5 m | 23.8 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Malong Marine Terminal | Malaysia | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 3 m | large vessels | |
| Phu My | Vietnam | Very Small | 5.5 m | — | 4 m | medium vessels | |
| Belanak Field Terminal | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 9.1 m | — | — | |
| Belida Marine Terminal | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | — | large vessels | |
| Benchamas Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | 1 m | large vessels | |
| Blinyu | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 27.4 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Dai Hang | Vietnam | Very Small | — | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Kuala Belait | Brunei | Very Small | — | 56.7 m | — | — | |
| Kuala Kapus | Indonesia | Very Small | — | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Lumut | Brunei | Very Small | — | 31.1 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Muntok | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 9.1 m | 9 m | medium vessels | |
| Petchburi Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | — | 20.1 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Seria Oil Loading Terminal | Brunei | Very Small | — | 49.4 m | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Tantawan Marine Terminal | Thailand | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Udang Oilfield | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | — | medium vessels |
Port Cities of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
The most populous cities with a harbour of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand within 25 km. Each city is listed with its country's other cities on the country page.
- Manila11.10 million
Capital of Philippines · Manila
- Guangzhou8.83 million
China · Guangzhou, Huangpuxingang (21 km), Huangpu (12 km)
- Shenzhen7.58 million
China · Yantian (16 km)
- Bangkok6.70 million
Capital of Thailand · Bangkok
- Ho Chi Minh City5.31 million
- Dongguan4.53 million
China · Huangpuxingang (25 km)
- Quezon City2.76 million
Philippines · Manila (7 km)
- Haikou2.05 million
China · Haikou
- Palembang1.75 million
Indonesia · Palembang, Sungaigerong (9 km)
- Shantou1.60 million
China · Shan T Ou
- Da Nang1.00 million
Vietnam · da Nang
- Foshan943,000
China · Guangzhou (25 km)
- Beihai728,978
China · Beihai
- Biên Hòa652,646
- Pontianak607,311
Indonesia · Pontianak
- Vinh593,645
Vietnam · Nghe Tinh (12 km)
- Kuching570,407
Malaysia · Kuching
- Kota Kinabalu527,671
Malaysia · Kota Kinabalu, Sapangar Bay (11 km)
- Nha Trang411,556
Vietnam · Nha Trang
- Pasay City403,064
Philippines · Manila (7 km)
- Samut Prakan388,920
Thailand · Bangkok (19 km)
- Putian376,558
China · Xiuyu (23 km)
- Kuantan366,229
Malaysia · Kuantan New Port
- Sanya362,689
China · Sanya
- Bandar Seri Begawan296,500
Capital of Brunei · Muara Harbor (22 km)
- Nonthaburi258,550
Thailand · Bangkok (10 km)
- Qinzhou245,376
China · Qinzhou
- Thu Dau Mot244,277
Vietnam · Thanh Hoa (21 km)
- Miri228,212
Malaysia · Lutong
- Tanjungpinang226,666
Indonesia · Tanjungpinang, Kijang (16 km)
Countries with Harbours on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
More Seas and Coasts
- Ports of Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal
- Ports of Strait of Malacca & Singapore
- Ports of Java Sea & Indonesian Archipelago
- Ports of Philippine, Sulu & Celebes Seas
- Ports of Yellow Sea & East China Sea
- Ports of Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk
- Ports of Seto Inland Sea
- Ports of Pacific Coast of Japan
See every sea, grouped from North America to Oceania & Antarctica, on the world ports index, or the voyages that crossed these waters on the famous sea voyages map.
South China Sea & Gulf of Thailand: Quick Answers
- How many ports are there on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand?
- YearMaps lists 92 ports and harbours on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, from the World Port Index of the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Small fishing harbours and private terminals outside the index are not counted.
- Which countries have ports on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand?
- China (21), Indonesia (19), Thailand (15), Malaysia (14), Vietnam (9), Philippines (8), Brunei (4) and Cambodia (2).
- What are the largest ports on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand?
- By the World Port Index's harbour size, the largest are Bangkok, Manila, Lon Shui Terminal, Tapis Marine Terminal A, Palembang and Kampong Saom.
- What are the main port cities on the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand?
- The most populous cities with a harbour here are Manila (11.10 million), Guangzhou (8.83 million), Shenzhen (7.58 million), Bangkok (6.70 million) and Ho Chi Minh City (5.31 million).