Keelung, Taiwan
Keelung is Taiwan’s major northern port city, renowned for its bustling harbor, vibrant night market, and maritime gateway to Taipei.
Port Overview
Keelung is a major port city located in northeastern Taiwan, approximately 30 kilometers from Taipei. As Taiwan's second-largest seaport after Kaohsiung, it serves as the primary gateway for northern Taiwan. The city covers an area of 132.76 square kilometers with a population of around 370,000 residents. Known as the "Rainy Port" due to its frequent precipitation, Keelung features a rare natural deep-water harbor that extends directly into the downtown area. Its strategic position on the Pacific Ocean, combined with excellent natural harbor conditions surrounded by mountains on three sides, makes it a crucial maritime hub for Taiwan's international trade and shipping operations.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Keelung Port, Taiwan’s northern gateway, features over 40 operational wharves and five major container terminals: West Coast, Lianxing East Coast, Yangming Marine Transport, Taiji International Logistics, and China Container Terminal. The port accommodates Post-Panamax vessels with a main channel depth of 15.5 meters and handles bulk, container, and cruise traffic. Facilities include modern gantry cranes, ample warehousing, and advanced cargo handling equipment. Cruise operations are supported by two modern terminals with full CIQS services, while bulk cargo is managed via dedicated terminals and cement silos. The port is a key logistics hub for northern Taiwan, offering 24-hour operations and efficient connections to Taipei.
Container Terminals
Keelung Port has 5 main container terminals with a total of 40 operational berths. The port’s annual container handling capacity is approximately 2.1 million TEU. Automation levels are moderate, with some digital and smart port initiatives but limited full automation. Major operators include Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Yang Ming Marine Transport, Lianxing, Taiji International Logistics, and China Container Terminal.
Port Services
Keelung Port offers comprehensive maritime services including:
Container Operations: Container handling, storage, and terminal services across five major container terminals
Cargo Handling: Bulk cargo, general cargo, and containerized freight operations with capacity of 27.88 million tons annually
Ship Services: Berthing, pilotage, towage, and marine support for vessels up to 100,000 tons
Logistics Support: Warehousing, inland distribution via road and rail networks
Trade Facilitation: Customs clearance and international trade logistics support
Global Connectivity
Keelung Port, located on Taiwan’s northern coast, is a major gateway connecting Taiwan to East Asia, including ports in China, Japan, and Korea. It serves the Taipei region and is integrated with Taiwan’s road and rail networks for efficient inland distribution. Regular shipping routes link Keelung to global markets such as North America and Europe, making it a key hub for container, bulk cargo, and cruise traffic.
Port Statistics
Keelung Port Key Statistics
Container Throughput: 1.65 million TEU (2024), with 2025 showing 922,889 TEU through July
Facilities: 7 container berths spanning 2,366 meters, with annual capacity of 4 million TEU
Port Area: 1.1 km² container terminal area
Draft & Vessel Specs: Maximum draft 15.05 meters offshore, accommodating vessels up to 337 meters length
Vessel Traffic: Primarily general cargo (74.85%), tankers (9.28%), and passenger ships (8.08%)
Cruise Operations: 166 cruise ship calls handling 787,000 passengers in 2024, including record 266,000 foreign passengers
