PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Tawau
Pilot
updated Feb 2012Available. Pilotage is not compulsory, however it is available from 0600-1800 hours and 48 hours notice is required should a pilot be required. Vessels should call on VHF Ch 16; 12 when in range, to establish pilotage arrangements and berth availability.
Pilot boards within the port limits.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 199.99m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.0m, 63,498DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 2.9m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tawau Terminal | — | — | 7 |
| Tanjung Batu Oil Terminal | 9.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Nunukan Ferry Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Tawau Ferry Terminal | — | — | 8 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2014Approach
The approach to Tawau is between Tanjong Saima (04°11'N 117°53'E) and Batu Tinagat (04°13'N 118°00'E). Swirl patch, over which there is a depth of 4.0m, coral, lies 1.5nm SW of Batu Tinagat Lighthouse. There are swirls and eddies in the vicinity of the shoal when the tidal stream is running.
Port limits
Tawau port consists of the waters of Cowie Bay and Wallace Bay and rivers entering same contained within the following limits:
A line from 4°13.3'N 118°00.0'E to the National boundary mark on the E shore of Sebatik Island, then continuing to the National Boundary mark on the W shores at Burs Point, and on in a 311° direction to 4°20.0'N 117°25.9'E and in a 070° direction to 4°25.2'N 117°40.0'E then in a 120° direction to the point of commencement.
Anchorages
There is an anchorage in 14.0m of water, with a mud on sand bottom, WNW of the wharves, and an anchorage in 15.5m, S of the wharves.
Outer anchorages:
Quarantine anchorage: 2.25nm NE of Tanjung Saima.
Explosives anchorage: 1.75nm NW of Tanjung Saima.
Petroleum anchorage: 4.5nm NNW of Tanjung Saima.
Anchorage is prohibited within a radius of 0.3nm of the wharves.
Restrictions
SW'ly sea breezes may make an afternoon departure difficult.
Charts and publications
BA 1852, 2099. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).
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 2023Repairs
Minor repairs can be undertaken.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from the wharves but may be rationed from time to time.
Bunkering: Available. Diesel fuel in limited quantities at the Tanjung Batu Oil Jetty.
Stores: Fresh provisions in limited quantities.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Tawau Hospital (1km).
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Tawau Airport (32km).
Working hours
Normally 0730-1130hrs, 1300-1700hrs and 1800-2200hrs.
About Tawau
updated Jan 2023Where it is
Tawau is situated in the SE of Sabah.
The port
Tawau Port is one of the major port in East Coast of Sabah and is the third largest port in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. The port major export are timber, agricultural products (palm oil, crude palm and coconut oil), rubber and general cargo. Tawau Port is also a very busy passenger port, handling 6-9 passenger ferry trips to/from Nunukan everyday. All petroleum oil products / LPG are discharged at Tanjung Batu Oil Jetty approximate 2km from Tawau town.
Traffic
Approx 3,000,000t of cargo and 60,000TEU are handled annually.
Questions about Tawau
What are the pilot arrangements at Tawau?
Available. Pilotage is not compulsory, however it is available from 0600-1800 hours and 48 hours notice is required should a pilot be required.
What time zone is Tawau in?
Local time at Tawau is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Tawau?
The deepest berth listed is at Tanjung Batu Oil Terminal: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Tawau?
1025.
Which load line zone is Tawau in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Tawau?
Port State Control at Tawau: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Tawau?
The UN/LOCODE of Tawau is MYTWU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Tawau 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.
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.