Country Kuwait
Type Seaport
UN/LOCODE KWSHB
Operator Kuwait Ports Authority

TL;DR: Kuwait's southern industrial port — the gateway for refinery, petrochemical and bulk traffic, and the focus of Kuwait's port-expansion plans.

Key specifications

Type Industrial seaport (bulk + project + containers)
Position Southern Kuwait, near refineries
Role Petrochemical & industrial gateway
UN/LOCODE KWSHB

Throughput and draft figures are indicative and change year to year. Confirm current figures with the port authority before relying on them.

Hinterland

Southern Kuwait — the refinery and petrochemical belt, plus industrial and project cargo.

China routes to this port

No routes published for this port yet.

What most guides skip

Shuaiba is Kuwait's industrial artery: it sits beside the country's refining complex and handles the petrochemical, bulk and project cargo that Shuwaikh was never designed for. It is also where Kuwait is concentrating expansion investment. For importers of industrial equipment, chemicals or project cargo, Shuaiba is usually the correct port.

Frequently asked questions

Shuwaikh or Shuaiba — which do I use?

Shuaiba for industrial, petrochemical, bulk and project cargo; Shuwaikh for general cargo and consumer goods near the capital.

Is Shuaiba being expanded?

Yes. Kuwait is concentrating port-expansion investment in the south, with Shuaiba and the planned Mubarak Al-Kabeer port central to its capacity plans.

Key takeaways

  1. Kuwait's southern industrial port, beside the refinery belt.
  2. Handles petrochemical, bulk and project cargo.
  3. Focus of Kuwait’s port-expansion investment.
  4. Correct choice for industrial equipment and chemicals.

Port authority & customs sources

Port facts are indicative and change over time. Always confirm current operational details with the relevant port authority before making commercial decisions.

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