7 Major Ports of Taiwan

The Importance of Taiwan Ports

Taiwan, known for its developed economy driven by the services and manufacturing sectors, heavily relies on its ports for foreign trade. The decreasing involvement of the state in business, growing privatization, and trade relations with the United States have propelled Taiwan’s rapid economic growth. In fact, Taiwan ranked as the 6th freest economy in 2022, reflecting its commitment to trade and commerce.

Taiwan’s main trading partners include the United States, China, Japan, the European Union, and Hong Kong. Foreign commerce has played a crucial part in Taiwan’s economic growth, and these trade links have been a major factor in this expansion. Taiwan’s exports are dominated by electronics, followed by textiles, while its imports mainly consist of raw materials due to its deficiency in natural resources.

Major Ports in Taiwan

Taiwan boasts several major ports strategically located along its coastline, facilitating efficient maritime trade. Let’s explore some of the key ports that contribute to the country’s thriving import and export activities.

1. Port of Kaohsiung

Situated on Taiwan’s southwestern coastline, the Port of Kaohsiung is not only the largest port in Taiwan but also ranks among the biggest container handling facilities globally. Its convenient location in the heart of the country’s manufacturing hub attracts more than 5,000 ships each year. The Port of Kaohsiung is an important logistical hub and transshipment center for the Asia-Pacific region, with an annual handling capacity of over 18.9 million tons of cargo and 9.8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers.

The port handles a diverse range of exports, including agricultural commodities from the southern part of Taiwan. Additionally, Kaohsiung is home to numerous factories producing aluminum, sugar, tiles, bricks, metals, plastics, paper, chemicals, and textiles, all of which are shipped through this bustling port facility. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and port equipment, the Port of Kaohsiung ensures maximum operational efficiency.

2. Port of Anping

Anping, located on the southwestern Taiwanese coastline, is a significant auxiliary port of the Port of Kaohsiung. Although it once held the title of Taiwan’s largest harbor, excessive silt deposition resulted in a decline in its importance. However, recognizing its potential, the Kaohsiung Harbor Bureau initiated a port development project to refurbish Anping and revitalize its role in regional development and employment generation.

Anping serves as a cargo port, handling various construction materials, plastic goods, steel products, and chemicals. The port development plans aim to transform Anping into a multifunctional port capable of accommodating large passenger ships and establishing new maritime connections with Southeast Asian regions, China, Hong Kong, and Northern Asia.

3. Port of Keelung

The Port of Keelung, the second-largest port in Taiwan, is situated on the country’s northern coastline. With its natural harbor and proximity to Hong Kong, Keelung attracts over 3000 vessels and handles 1.76 million TEU containers annually. Imports of minerals, construction machinery, oil, and gasoline all rely heavily on the port’s accessibility.

Keelung port comprises 56 berths divided between the West Coast and East Coast areas. These berths, along with 40 storage facilities covering 13 acres and capable of storing 128,000 tonnes of cargo, contribute to the port’s efficient cargo handling capabilities. The container handling facilities at Keelung port include 15 container berths, 25 container yards, and 14 stacking yards, providing a storage capacity of 400,000 tonnes for containerized cargo.

4. Port of Suao

Located on the Bay of Suao in northeastern Taiwan, the Port of Suao serves as an auxiliary port to the Keelung Harbour. This natural harbor has significantly boosted the local economy in the Lanyang region. With an annual cargo throughput of around 6 million tonnes and 5 million TEU, the Port of Suao is transforming into an important international commercial facility in the Asian region.

Suao port handles exports of cement, construction equipment, and chemicals like Paraxylene acid and potassium sulphate. On the import side, it deals with coal, slag, steel billets, and fuel. The port boasts a vast area of approximately 850 thousand square meters, including 13 docks dedicated to handling specific cargoes such as sundry goods, chemicals, cement, and petroleum products. With excellent facilities, modern operational systems, and ample storage space, the Port of Suao ensures efficient and smooth maritime operations.

5. Port of Taipei

The Port of Taipei, situated in Pali near the Keelung port, is the largest container facility in northern Taiwan. Built by reclaiming coastland and featuring an artificial harbor, the port has been designed to achieve the highest productivity while minimizing its environmental impact. With approximately 2850 ships visiting the port annually, it handles a total cargo throughput of around 38.4 million tonnes and 440,760 TEU containers.

The Port of Taipei is equipped with the latest port systems, including wireless sensors and automated loading and unloading operations, enhancing its efficiency by 15%. The General Cargo Terminal at the port also benefits from these advanced systems. Divided into three phases, the port is continuously expanding, with the first phase completed in 2012. Presently, it operates 14 docks handling various shipments such as petrochemicals, containerized goods, and bulk cargo.

6. Port of Hualien

Situated on Taiwan’s eastern coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, the Port of Hualien is an artificial harbor that has played a significant role in international trade since its opening in 1963. With its position prone to typhoons, the port requires additional moorings for vessels operating in the area. Hualien port handles exports of gravel, stones, cement, bamboo, sugar, and lumber, while imports include gypsum, coal, cooking oil, and logs.

The port covers an area of 172 hectares, with 25 berths divided between the Inner and Outer harbors. It offers extensive storage facilities, including warehouses capable of storing 82,000 tonnes of cargo and numerous stacking yards for minerals and gravel. With its ability to accommodate vessels weighing up to 100,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage), the Port of Hualien ensures the smooth flow of maritime trade.

7. Port of Taichung

The Port of Taichung, located on Taiwan’s western coastline, holds the distinction of being the country’s first international commercial facility constructed by Taiwanese engineers. It serves as a crucial port for the importation of grain, logs, cement, coal, chemicals, molasses, iron, steel goods, and refined oil. Food, rice, wood, textiles, paper, pulp, fertilizers, and glass are just few of the many exports the port processes on a regular basis.

With over 4000 ships and 1.7 million TEU containers passing through its berths each year, the Port of Taichung plays a pivotal role in Taiwan’s trade activities. The port features a wide entrance channel, 58 berths with depths ranging from 9 to 18 meters, and specialized facilities for container handling, bulk cargo, steel goods, and liquid bulk.

The ports of Taiwan serve as vital gateways for the nation’s export and import trade, contributing significantly to its economic development and prosperity. From the bustling Port of Kaohsiung, the largest container handling facility in Taiwan, to the Port of Taichung, Taiwan’s first international commercial facility, each port plays a unique role in facilitating maritime trade. With their strategic locations, advanced technologies, and efficient operational systems, these ports ensure the smooth flow of goods, connecting Taiwan to the global market and fostering economic growth.