Port guide · UN/LOCODE ID BPN
Balikpapan, Indonesia
Indonesia · 1.25° S, 116.82° E
The World Port Index classes Balikpapan as a natural coastal harbor on the Makassar Strait. It records a channel depth of 12.5 m and a cargo pier depth of 11 m. Norfolk is 15,830 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 12.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Max vessel length
- 291.9 m
- From Norfolk
- 15,830 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Samarinda90 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 291.9 m and a maximum draft of 13 m.
- Channel depth
- 12.5 m
- Anchorage depth
- 12.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 11 m
- Tidal range
- 9 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 291.9 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 46 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 13 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
Balikpapan is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Floating cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Dry dock
- Small
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- No
- Engine supplies
- No
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Indonesia
- US exports, 2025
- $10.8BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $34.6BLed by electrical machinery and equipment
Other ports in Indonesia
The nearest is Samarinda, 90 km away in a straight line.
- AmbonCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mID AMQ
- BanjarmasinCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 3.4 mID BDJ
- BelawanCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 mID BLW
- CilacapCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mID CXP
- JakartaCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mID JKT
- Kota BaruCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 18.6 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkID KBU
- LhokseumaweCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mID LSW
- PanjangCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 mID PNJ
- SamarindaCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 mID SRI
- SemarangCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mID SRG
- SungaigerongCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 4.9 mID SUG
- SurabayaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mID SUB
- Tanjung SantanCargo pier 11 m, channel 23.2 mID SAT
- Teluk BayurCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 7.9 mID TBR
- Tg. SorongCargo pier 11 m, channel 18.6 m
- Ujung PandangCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mID UPG
- WaingapuCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 mID WGP
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.