泰国
Thailand
1. Port Overview
Laem Chabang Port is located in Chonburi Province, Thailand, approximately 130 km southeast of Bangkok. It is Thailand's largest and most modern deep-water container port. Laem Chabang Port is a core infrastructure of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and was originally built as a deep-water port by the US military during the Vietnam War. It has now developed into Thailand's national main port. The port has a water depth of 14–17 meters, capable of berthing large container vessels of up to 14,000 TEU, with an annual container throughput of approximately 8 million TEU.
Laem Chabang Port has completely replaced Bangkok Port as Thailand's main hub — most mainline vessels from China to Thailand will call at Laem Chabang first, then use barges or trucks to transport cargo to Bangkok. Bofeng Logistics has ample capacity on Thailand routes.
2. Port Scale and Facilities
Laem Chabang Port is operated by the Port Authority of Thailand and has multiple modern container terminals. The terminal water depth is 14–17 meters, making it the only port in Thailand capable of berthing ultra-large container vessels. Major operators include Hutchison Ports (HIT) and DP World, among others. The port is equipped with a large free trade zone and dedicated automobile import/export terminals (Thailand is the largest automobile manufacturer in ASEAN).
3. Main Routes from China
| Origin Port | Estimated Transit Time | Common Shipping Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Port | 4–6 days | COSCO, MSC |
| Shenzhen Port | 4–6 days | MAERSK, CMA CGM |
| Shanghai Port | 5–7 days | MAERSK, ONE |
4. Key Points for China-Thailand Trade and Logistics
Main import/export goods: electronic products, auto parts, machinery, chemicals. Thailand is the largest automobile producer and exporter in ASEAN (annual production of about 2 million vehicles), and Laem Chabang Port is the core gateway for automobile import/export.
Cargo suitable for shipping via Laem Chabang Port: electronic products, auto parts, machinery, chemicals. The deep-water advantage of Laem Chabang Port is significant — large containers and heavy cargo face no restrictions, and dangerous goods management is standardized.
Bofeng Logistics Experience: The deep-water advantage of Laem Chabang Port over Bangkok Port is key — large containers and heavy cargo can berth directly without barge transshipment. The truck delivery from Laem Chabang to Bangkok takes about 1.5 hours, and the overall cost is often better than shipping via Bangkok Port. Most mainline vessels from China to Thailand call at Laem Chabang first, then transship to Bangkok by barge. Therefore, even if the destination is in or around Bangkok, choosing Laem Chabang Port for discharge + truck delivery to Bangkok is often more efficient than using Bangkok Port.
5. Shipping Considerations
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Deep-water Advantage | Water depth of 14–17 meters, no draft restrictions, can accept heavy cargo and large containers |
| Peak Season | Peak shipping season from November to February, freight rates increase by approximately 10–15% |
| Free Demurrage Period | 3–5 days |
| Delivery to Bangkok | About 1.5-hour drive to Bangkok, delivery fee approximately $80–120 per container |
| Barge Alternative | Some shipping lines offer barge service from Laem Chabang to Bangkok, lower cost but takes 1–2 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far is Laem Chabang Port from downtown Bangkok, and how to deliver goods? A: Approximately 130 km, about 1.5 hours by truck. Thailand has mature trucking services, and delivery fees to Bangkok warehouses are reasonable. Most customers choose to import via Laem Chabang Port and then truck to Bangkok warehouses — more efficient than via Bangkok Port.
Q: What are the advantages of Laem Chabang Port? A: ① Direct deep-water port, no draft restrictions; ② Modern terminals with high operational efficiency; ③ Mainline vessels call directly, no barge needed; ④ Capable of handling dangerous goods and special containers. Overall, the total cost and time from Laem Chabang to Bangkok are usually better than via Bangkok Port.
6. Bofeng Logistics Services
- Full Container Load (FCL): 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Regular consolidation from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Laem Chabang
- Customs Brokerage: China export + Thailand import customs clearance consulting
- Value-added Services: Truck delivery (Laem Chabang to Bangkok and central Thailand)
📍 Feel free to contact us for real-time freight rates.
Related ports: Bangkok Port (Thailand port combination: deep-water main port + river port extension)