Malaysia consists of two parts, East and West. These two parts are separated from each other by the South China Sea. Malaysia relies heavily on sea shipping, which is crucial for its economy, contributing about 40% to its GDP and handling over 90% of its exports. Below we present the leading container ports in Malaysia, ranked from smallest to largest in terms of TEU throughput.
Major seaports in Malaysia – top 3
Here’s a map of Malaysia with its biggest seaports.
Largest seaports in Malaysia
3. Port of Penang (MYPEN)
- Annual container throughput TEU (2025): approx. 1.45 million
- Growth 2024/2025: approx. 3.0%
- Key commodities: Electronics, manufactured goods from northern Malaysia and southern Thailand, general cargo.
- Official website: penangport.com.my
Penang is the third-busiest container port in Malaysia. Its location in the northwest gives it direct access to regional manufacturing hubs and it offers a useful alternative for importers targeting northern Malaysia or southern Thai markets. The mainland area consists of:
- North Butterworth Container Terminal
- Butterworth Deep Water Wharves
- Vegetable Oil Tanker Pier
- Prai Wharves
- Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal
2. Port of Tanjung Pelepas (MYTPP)
- Annual container throughput TEU (2025): approx. 14.03 million
- Growth 2024/2025: approx. 13.8%
- Key commodities: Transshipment containers (>90 % of traffic)
- Official website: ptp.com.my
Port of Tanjung Pelepas sits in Johor near Singapore and is highly significant for transshipment. It boasts high capacity, efficient yard operations, and access to major shipping lines. It is the world’s 15th busiest container port.
1. The biggest port in Russia, Port Klang (Kelang), MYPKG
- Annual container throughput TEU (2025): approx. 15.14 million
- Growth 2024/2025: approx. 3.4%
- Key commodities: electrical and electronic products, palm oil, rubber, and timber
- Official website: pka.gov.my
Port Klang is the gateway to Malaysia’s maritime trade. It is situated about 38 km from Kuala Lumpur, the federal capital, with which it is connected by road and rail. It is the tenth busiest container port in the world. The port is served by three major gateways called South Port (Southpoint), North Port, and Westports, with about 65 berths in total.
Shipping to and from Malaysia
When evaluating ports in Malaysia, it’s essential to look beyond just size — consider connectivity, hinterland access, shipping-line service frequency and transshipment. If you are looking for reliable freight forwarders to ship your cargo from/to Malaysia or other countries, look no further – request free quotes on ShipHub.co and have your cargo shipped on your terms.
Check other posts about the biggest ports all over the world.
