Burma - Ports

Myanmar currently has 9 ports along the western and southeastern coast of the country, namely: Yangon, Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Pathein, Mawlamyine, Dawei, Myeik, and Kawthaung. In addition, Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT) is a private multi-purpose container terminal owned and operated by Hutchinson Port Holdings. However, with the exception of the country’s principal port in Yangon, the rest are reportedly small coastal ports with limited port handling capabilities . According to official statistics from the Myanma Port Authority, Myanmar’s ports handled 24 million tons of import and export freight in 2011, with the Port of Yangon handling 90% of the cargo throughput.

The following are the Ports :-

A.    Yangon Port –

The Port of Yangon is the premier port of Myanmar and handles about 90 % of the country's exports and imports

The Port of Yangon is situated at Latitude 16 ံ 47' N and Longitude 96 ံ 15' E on the Yangon River and about 32 km inland from the Elephant Point on the Gulf of Martaban. All vessels calling to the Yangon Port, pilotage is compulsory if they are over 200 GRT. Navigation from the Pilot Station, which is further 32 km seaward from Elephant Point, to the Yangon harbour is generally on a flood tides and has to be timed to cross both Inner Bar and Outer Bar near high tide to ensure sufficient depths.

There are two restricted bars along the approached channel:-
(1) Inner Bar (near Yangon Port at Monkey Point)
(2) Outer Bar (at the mouth of the River)

Tidal Range - The average tidal range is about 19.3 feet (5.85 m) at spring tide and 8.4 feet (2.55 m) at neap tide.

Current Velocity - The velocity of the current at Yangon River is 4 to 6 knots at spring. Flood stream continues for about 1 hour 15 minutes after high water and Ebb current for about 30 minutes after low water.

Vessel Size - The Yangon Port is accessible to vessels of 167 m LOA, 9m Draft, 15000 DWT and Thilawa Port is accessible up to vessels of 200 m LOA, 9m Draft, 20000 DWT.

Working Hours - Day shift is from 08:00 hours to 16:00 hours. Night shift is from 20:00 hours to 04:00 hours. Overtime works is available on request for periods between shift hours.

Anchorage Depth – 7.9 meters, Cargo Pier Depth – 7.9 meters, Oil terminal Depth – 9.4 meters

B.    Myeik Port -

Myeik is a town of Tanintharyi Division, in lower Myanmar in southern part of Myanmar. It has a seaport. It is a small and very important town in Myanmar. It is also the coastal capital of Coastal Command. The town is close to the sea, so the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. The area of Myeik is 7783 square miles. Myeik Township is situated at Latitude 12 ံ26.0'(N)and Longitude098 ံ36.0'(E)

Entrance / Leaving river route · There is no special changes in waterway at Myeik Port and Myeik Township. · Any vessels can access the Myeik Port and approach the harbour according to the TRANSIT LINE showed in the CHART 218. · The vessels of 2.0 Meter Draft and lower can access the port anytime and vessels of 2.0 Meter Draft and above can access waiting for the Flood Tide.

Anchorages · Outer anchorage Latitude 12 ံ 30.0' (N) and Longitude 098 ံ 34.0'(E) water depth 20 feet (6.0) M  · Inner anchorage Latitude 12 ံ 25.0' (N) and Longitude 098 ံ 36.0'(E) water depth 20 feet (6.0)M