PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kota Kinabalu
Pilot
updated May 2010- Sapangar Bay oil terminal boarding place Pilot boards06°01.0′N 116°05.4′E
Not compulsory. Pilots are available from 0600-1800hrs local time. Requests for pilots and berthing should be made 24 hours in advance, including details of vessel's name, GT/NT, nature and tonnage of cargo to be discharged/loaded, ETA at berth, ETD from berth and any technical information required by the authorities. When within range vessels should confirm ETA. Pilots board vessels between the Quarantine anchorage and Macintosh Reef, from a small white boat. Tankers should provide as much ETA notice as possible.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 294m, beam 37.5m, draught 8.5m, 63,590DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range: 1.6m. Mean spring range 1.2m.
Tidal Stream: The tide sets S on the ingoing tide and N on the outgoing tide. In the NE monsoon the tidal streams set at a rate of 0.25-0.5kt and at a rate of 0.5-1kt in the SW monsoon.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu Port | — | 294 m | 13 |
| Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal | — | — | 9 |
| Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu Terminal | — | — | 10 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2019Approach
Directions: When approaching from N, the N coast of Pulau Gaya should be given a berth of approx 0.75nm. Macintosh Light Beacon should be passed at a safe distance; then proceed between Grieve Reef Light column and Gueritz Shoal Light tower or otherwise as directed for the berth allocated. The depths in the approaches to the harbour and anchorages are from 15-20m.
Port limits
The limits of the harbour are defined on the W by a line drawn from Tanjong Aru (05°57'N 116°02'E) to Tanjong Bulijong and then to Gaya Head.
Anchorages
Outer Anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained anywhere in Teluk Gaya, also in the entrance to Pelabuhan Gaya 0.25nm NW of Grieve Reef, in depths of 17m. A beacon (black and white chequers, conical topmark) stands 0.3nm SSW of Macintosh Reef. No 2 Light Beacon (starboard hand) stands on the edge of a reef 0.25nm ENE of Tanjung Sindian. When proceeding to either anchorage areas, vessels should pass 0.5nm S of Palau Sapangar.
Quarantine anchorage: Lies on the W side of the bay, 0.5nm N of Tanjung Logong (06°00.0'N 116°04.0'E).
Explosives anchorage: Lies 1.75nm N of Tanjung Lipat.
Dangerous petroleum anchorage: Lies S of the explosives anchorage, 1nm N of Tanjung Lipat.
Prohibited Anchorage: Within 0.5nm of the N extremity of Government Wharf. (05°59.5'N 116°04.5'E)
Restrictions
There are currently no restrictions that could hinder a vessel in the port.
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available; they can be arranged through the Sabah Port Authority.
Mooring
There are no special mooring requirements.
Charts and publications
BA 3525, 3626, 2111, 2112. Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA should be sent 7 days prior to the vessel's arrival followed by a further ETA 36 and 24 hours prior to arrival. In addition to the date/time of arrival, the message should also include arrival draughts, pilot requirements and any other requirements of the vessel. Tankers should provide as much ETA notice as possible.
Communications
Singapore or Kota Kinabalu Radio are recommended for passing messages. Singapore Radio works throughout 24 hours.
Notice of readiness
Notice of Readiness should be tendered 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival. The master should become aware of the current ISPS level at the port.
Health
The Sabah Government are signatories to the World Health Organisation convention on quarantine regulations. The port health doctor will not board unless the vessel is arriving from an infected port. A Maritime Declaration of Health is to be completed and handed to the agent, together with a copy of the Crew List and a copy of the Passenger List.
The agent should be sent a telex, prior to the vessel's arrival, stating the last port of call and current health status onboard.
Pratique is normally granted by radio and vessels should only proceed to the quarantine anchorage if arriving from an infected area.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed for a 3 month period.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Daily allowance is 142ml of spirit per man or 1,136ml of wine, beer or stout, 25 cigarettes or 8 cigars or 28.3gm of tobacco or snuff. Up to 3 days allowance issued at a time.
Immigration: Immigration Officer boards on arrival and clears the vessel inwards. The officer requires 2 copies each of the Crew List and Passenger List.
Flags
In addition to normal International Code of Signal flags, vessel should fly the Malaysian national flag.
Notices and regulations
The port operates within regulations contained in the Sabah Ports Authority Regulations 1968.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Marine Industrial Control Division.
Contact person: Director.
Address: PO Box 12, 42007 Port Klang, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 3 3346 7777.
Fax: +60 3 3168 4454.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.marine.gov.my
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2019Repairs
Minor repairs are possible subject to written approval from the Port Authority.
Dry docks
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Limited supplies available. Fuel, including marine diesel oil by barge.
Medical
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kota Kinabalu Airport, 11km.
Airport facilities: International and domestic facilities available.
Nearest railway: The nearest railway, 7km.
Working hours
Normally 0730-1530hrs, 1530-2300hrs. Working through 2300-0730hrs with prior arrangement.
0800-1200hrs on Sat.
About Kota Kinabalu
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Kota Kinabalu is situated on the South China Sea and is the capital city of Sabah State.
The port
The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, Ro-Ro, vehicles, cruise and passengers.
Containers are now handled at Sapangar Bay Container Terminal (SBSB) and tankers at Sapangar Bay Oil Terminal (SBOT). Both these facilities can be found under the entry for Sapangar Bay.
Traffic
Approx 8,900,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Kota Kinabalu
Where does the pilot board at Kota Kinabalu?
The pilot boards at Sapangar Bay oil terminal boarding place, 06°01.0′N 116°05.4′E.
What time zone is Kota Kinabalu in?
Local time at Kota Kinabalu is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the water density at Kota Kinabalu?
1025.
Which load line zone is Kota Kinabalu in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kota Kinabalu?
Port State Control at Kota Kinabalu: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kota Kinabalu?
The UN/LOCODE of Kota Kinabalu is MYBKI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kota Kinabalu say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.