Songkhla, Thailand
Songkhla, Thailand: Southern gateway for trade and culture, renowned for its beaches and multicultural heritage.
Port Overview
Songkhla is a major port city in southern Thailand, located near the Malaysian border on the Gulf of Thailand. It is the capital of Songkhla Province and forms part of the Greater Hat Yai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area, the third largest in Thailand. Strategically positioned at the opening of Songkhla Lake, it serves as a key gateway for trade and transport between Thailand and Malaysia. The port handles approximately 400,000 TEU annually, making it one of the country’s significant container hubs.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Songkhla Port features three berths with a total quay length of 510 meters and a depth of 9.0 meters, handling both container and general cargo operations. The port is operated by Chaophaya Terminal International Co., Ltd. and offers a container yard of 50,000 square meters, warehouse space of 6,720 square meters, and annual container handling capacity of 128,000 TEU. Equipment includes mobile shore cranes for cargo operations. Additionally, the port has separate oil terminals operated by PTT and Shell with depths ranging from 5.5 to 8.0 meters for petroleum products handling.
Container Terminals
Songkhla Port is a multipurpose facility in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border, serving as a regional trade hub on the Gulf of Thailand. The port features multiple berths including a 510-meter General Cargo Wharf and specialized terminals for different cargo types. With a maximum draft of 8.23 meters, it handles approximately 1 million tonnes annually, including bulk cargo, general cargo, and containers. The port operates with conventional cargo handling equipment like cranes and conveyors, supporting southern Thailand's agricultural, fisheries, and manufacturing sectors.
Port Services
Main Services at Songkhla Port, Thailand
- Container Handling: Modern facilities for intermodal container traffic, with three deep-sea berths capable of accommodating large ocean-going vessels.
- Cargo Operations: Handles general cargo, containers, fertilizer, frozen fish, building materials, and oil products via dedicated terminals.
- Ship Services: Offers pilotage (compulsory), tug assistance, fresh water, provisions, fuel oil (domestic and bonded with advance notice), minor repairs, and ship chandlery.
- Warehousing: Extensive port area (90,000 sqm) suitable for cargo storage and logistics operations.
- Customs: Full customs and immigration formalities on-site, with authorities attending at the berth for efficient clearance.
- Additional Services: Medical facilities, radio pratique, sanitary inspection, and access to floating cranes (via Bangkok).
Global Connectivity
Songkhla Port, located in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border, serves as a key gateway for the region, connecting southern Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore. It offers regular feeder services to major transshipment hubs like Singapore and Tanjung Pelepas, enabling access to global shipping routes. The port primarily serves the southern provinces, supporting industries such as agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing, and facilitates trade with international markets across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Port Statistics
Songkhla Port, Thailand: Key Statistics
TEU Throughput: Songkhla Port handles approximately 1 million tonnes of cargo annually, including bulk, general, and containerized goods. Specific TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) figures are not publicly detailed, but its container volume is modest compared to Thailand’s major ports.
World Ranking: Songkhla is ranked 383rd globally in port connectivity, reflecting its regional rather than international prominence.
Number of Berths: Available data indicates no formal container terminals or dedicated berths; operations appear focused on multipurpose and offshore support.
Port Area: The exact port area is not specified in open sources, but Songkhla is a medium-sized, multipurpose port serving southern Thailand’s regional trade.
Shipping Lines: No major global container shipping lines are prominently associated with Songkhla; it primarily supports regional trade, especially with Malaysia and Singapore, and local industries such as agriculture and fisheries.
Summary: Songkhla Port is a vital regional hub in southern Thailand, with limited container infrastructure, no major international shipping line presence, and a focus on bulk and general cargo supporting local economic activity.
