Port guide · UN/LOCODE MY TWU
Tawa, Malaysia
Malaysia · 4.25° N, 117.88° E · Also listed as Tawau
The World Port Index classes Tawa as a natural coastal harbor on the Celebes Sea. It records a channel depth of 17.1 m and a cargo pier depth of 9.4 m. Norfolk is 15,210 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 17.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Max vessel length
- 199 m
- From Norfolk
- 15,210 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Lahad Datu100 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 13 ports in Malaysia with guides here, Tawa records the deepest channel in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 199 m and a maximum draft of 11 m.
- Channel depth
- 17.1 m
- Anchorage depth
- 12.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 9.4 m
- Tidal range
- 3 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 199 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 32.3 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 11 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
Tawa is listed as a first port of entry.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- No
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
- Repairs
- None
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- 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 Lahad Datu, 100 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
- Kota KinabaluCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkMY BKI
- 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
- 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.