Port guide · UN/LOCODE MY BKI
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Malaysia · 5.98° N, 116.07° E · Also listed as Jesselton
The World Port Index classes Kota Kinabalu as a natural coastal harbor on the South China Sea. It records a channel depth of 7.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 9.4 m. Norfolk is 15,080 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Max vessel length
- 294 m
- From Norfolk
- 15,080 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Victoria120 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 294 m and a maximum draft of 8.5 m.
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Anchorage depth
- 15.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 6.4 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 294 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 37.5 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 8.5 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Kota Kinabalu is listed as a first port of entry.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- No
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- Yes
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro and breakbulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 100 tons and over.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 100 tons and over
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- No
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Malaysia
- US exports, 2025
- $28.7BLed by electrical machinery and equipment
- US imports, 2025
- $59.5BLed by electrical machinery and equipment
Other ports in Malaysia
The nearest is Victoria, 120 km away in a straight line.
- Bintulu PortCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 mMY BTU
- JohorCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 9.4 mMY JHB
- KuchingCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 4.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkMY KCH
- Lahad DatuCargo pier 3.4 m, channel 9.4 mMY LDU
- MiriCargo pier 1.8 m, channel 1.8 m, container, breakbulk and bulkMY MYY
- Pelabuhan SandakanCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 9.4 mMY SDK
- Port DicksonCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 11 m, bulkMY PDI
- Port KlangCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 15.5 mMY PKG
- Pulau PinangCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 9.4 mMY PEN
- Tanjung PelepasCargo pier 14 m, channel 14 mMY TPP
- TawaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 17.1 mMY TWU
- VictoriaCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 m
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.