PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Laem Chabang
Pilot
- Ko Si Chang boarding position: South Entrance Pilot boards13°04.9′N 100°51.4′E
- Laem Chabang boarding position: North Entrance Pilot boards13°13.3′N 100°51.9′E
- Laem Chabang boarding position: South Entrance Pilot boards13°03.0′N 100°47.3′E
Key data
updated Aug 2024Size limits
Max LOA 399.99m, beam 61.50m, draught 15.5m and 281,456DWT.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 3.3m. Current velocity 3kts SW-NE'ly within the harbour.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal D - Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal (HLT) | 15.50 m | 400 m | 3 |
| Terminal A - Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal (HLT) | — | 294 m | 1 |
| Terminal A - United Standard Terminal | 13.80 m | 300 m | 1 |
| Terminal C - Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal (HLT) | 13.60 m | 367 m | 2 |
| Terminal B - LCB Container Terminal 1 | 13.50 m | 351 m | 1 |
| Terminal B - Laem Chabang International Terminal (LCIT) | 13.40 m | 304 m | 1 |
| Terminal C - Laem Chabang International Terminal (LCIT) | 13.40 m | 396 m | 1 |
| Terminal B - Evergreen Container Terminal | 13.10 m | 294 m | 1 |
| Terminal C - Laem Chabang International Ro-Ro Terminal (LRT) | 12.60 m | 295 m | 1 |
| Terminal A - LCMT Co Ltd Terminal | 12.50 m | 235 m | 2 |
| Terminal B - Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal (ESCO) | 12.20 m | 294 m | 1 |
| Terminal B - TIPS Container Terminal | 12.00 m | 294 m | 1 |
| Terminal A - Thai Laem Chabang Terminal (TLT) | 11.50 m | 347 m | 1 |
| Terminal A - Namyong Terminal (A5) | 11.10 m | 240 m | 3 |
| Terminal A - NYK Auto Logistics (Thailand) | 10.40 m | 347 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2024Approach
The recommended route for deep draught vessels approaching from S is to make a landfall on Ko Khram, then from position 12°43'N., 100°44'E, 1.5nm W of that island, steer 000° to pass 2nm E of Ko Rin and 1.75nm W of Ko Lan, to position 12°56.2'N., 100°44.6'E. From this position steer 022° to make position 13°00.0'N., 100°46.2'E, then steer 037° to cross the bar. The track across the bar has a depth of 16.0m, though there are depths of 14.0m less than 1nm to the NW. The tidal stream sets N with a rising tide. Having crossed the bar, steer E to enter the anchorage and approach the pilot boarding area.
The port is approached and entered from NW through a dredged channel. The outer end of the entrance channel and the pilot boarding area, is marked by a lightbuoy (pillar, safe water) moored close SE of Laem Chabang pilot boarding place. The white sector of a directional light (metal framework tower) leads through the centre line of the entrance channel. The buoyed fairway is dredged to 13.6m.
Light beacons, situated at the head of each basin, lead into the basins, aligned 060° (No 1 Basin) and 073° (No 2 Basin). A light (green metal framework tower) is exhibited from the SW corner of No 1 basin and light (metal framework towers) are exhibited from the NW and SW corners of No 2 Basin. Basin No 1 is dredged to 11.6m and Basin No 2 to 13.6m.
Anchorages
Explosives, dangerous cargo and quarantine anchorages lie S of the S harbour limits. Other anchorages, mainly working within Si Racha Pilotage District are designated from Anchorage Area A to Anchorage Area Gand are positioned either side of the fairway.
Caution: Precautions against unauthorised boarding by thieves, while at anchor, should be taken.
Tugs
There are 7 tugs available ranging from 300-3,200hp.
Charts and publications
BA 67, 986, 1046, 3965. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2014ETA and pre-arrival notices
To check the exact time of reaching Laem Chabang, vessels entering the Gulf of Thailand, at a distance of 50-1,000nm, have to communicate with the port officers, by radio telegraphy or Inmarsat.
Communications
The port can also be contacted by radio, or radio telegraphy or Inmarsat, at an approximate distance between 1,000-3,000nm from the port.
Notice of readiness
On arrival in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Charter Party.
Documents
In the above table, CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, HE = Health and HA = Harbour Authorities.
Health
Pratique should be applied for on arrival. A General Declaration of Health is acceptable except when vessel is arriving from an infected area.
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Allowances for officers and crew are one carton of cigarettes and one bottle of whisky; each member is also allowed a piece of sound/video equipment. Penalties for non compliance.
Transit passengers are normally allowed to disembark within 30 minutes after the vessel's arrival and their passports will be stamped in/out during the vessel's stay. Disembarking passengers will have their passport stamped on arrival and embarking passengers will have their passport stamped when boarding.
All crew are required to sign in/out on the Immigration Crew List, presentation of Seaman's Book/passport is not required unless signing on/off.
Immigration department will stamp passenger passports with arrival/departure card attached and grant a 30 day visa. Crew and passengers arriving from the following countries do not require a visa:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Yemen.
Notices and regulations
Vessel loading/discharging operations: Prior to commencement of service, shipping lines or representatives will arrange for LCIT to allocate berth windows for their intended vessel with LCIT.
Two weeks ahead of ETA: Shipping lines or representatives submit and advise vessel rotations, and submit "New Vessel Information" to LCIT Planning Section.
At least 48 hours ahead of ETA: Send update of vessels ETA to LCIT Planning Section; also submit inbound and outbound information.
At least 24 hours ahead of ETA: Update vessel ETA to LCIT Planning Section; also submit inbound and outbound information.
At least 2 hours ahead of ETA: Confirm final ETA to LCIT Planning Section and also discuss the overall working operations with Ship Planners. Terminal will give berthing advice and estimate time of departure (ETD).
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 Safety and Environment Bureau
Address: 1278 Yotha Road, Talardnoi, Samphantawong, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2639 4774
Fax: +66 2639 4775
Mob: +66 1777 1000
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2024Repairs
Wide range of ship repairs available with 390m jetty and 2 Ro-Ro stern ramps.
Cranes: 1 x 100t, 2 x 50t, 2 x 30t.
ESCO Terminal provides a maintenance facility for repairing on-site equipment 24/7.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available, piped to berths.
Bunkers: Fuel by road tankers only.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Vibharam Laemchabang Hospital (2.95km), Phyathai Sriracha Hospital (11.85km) and Samitivej Sriracha Hospital (13km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Bang Phra Airport (19.5km), U-TapaoâRayongâPattaya International Airport (44.3km) and Don Mueang International Airport (99.4km).
Nearest railway: The port is served by the State Railway of Thailand with a direct connection to the inland container depot at Lat Krabang. The port has direct containerised rail access via Tha Phra rail throughout the port limits. Eastern Sea Laem Chabang Terminal Co., Ltd. (ESCO) celebrated their first containerised shipment from the port to Khon Kaen Province in June 2022.
Nearest highway: The port has access to Sukhumvit Road. The highway runs 488.387km from Bangkok in the W to Khlong Yai district in the E at the Cambodian border.
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Laem Chabang.
About Laem Chabang
updated Sep 2024Where it is
Laem Chabang is a deep sea port situated in Sriracha district, Chon Buri Province, approx 110km E of Bangkok, in the area of the Eastern seaboard which includes Chacheaongsao, Vhonburi and Rayong provinces, Thailand.
The port
Laem Chabang Port, Thailand's largest and most significant maritime facility, has been operational since 1991. Strategically located to alleviate the congestion of Bangkok, this deep-water, multi-purpose port spans 2,536 acres and plays a crucial role in supporting the industrial expansion of the Eastern Seaboard. The port comprises two main basins, featuring eleven and seven berths, which accommodate a diverse range of cargo operations. Currently, a new basin is under construction, set to dramatically increase the port's container throughput from 11 million to 18.1 million annually. This expansion not only enhances Laem Chabang's capacity but also solidifies its position as a vital hub in Southeast Asia's trade network, driving economic growth and connectivity.
Traffic
Approx 90,000,000t of cargo, 8,800,000TEU and 12,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Laem Chabang
Where does the pilot board at Laem Chabang?
The pilot boards at Ko Si Chang boarding position: South Entrance, 13°04.9′N 100°51.4′E. Laem Chabang has 3 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Laem Chabang in?
Local time at Laem Chabang is UTC+7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Laem Chabang?
The deepest berth listed is at Terminal D - Hutchison Laem Chabang Terminal (HLT): 15.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Laem Chabang in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Laem Chabang?
Port State Control at Laem Chabang: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Laem Chabang?
The UN/LOCODE of Laem Chabang is THLCH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Laem Chabang 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.
Plan a route to Laem Chabang →
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.