KW Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
Kuwait locations use the country prefix KW followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the indexed sample include KWSWH for Shuwaikh and KWSAA for Shuaiba.
Seaports in Kuwait: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Kuwait has 11 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and serves as a strategic Gulf gateway for energy cargo, project shipments, containerized imports and regional distribution.
Use verified UN/LOCODE references to compare Kuwait port coverage, cargo roles and indicative trade lanes.
Kuwait Port Overview
Kuwait’s maritime network is concentrated around the capital-area commercial port complex and the southern industrial and energy terminals. Indexed coverage is a first-party database measure and should not be confused with a national port authority’s operating-port count or a global container-port ranking.
11
Kuwait ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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Official cargo tonnage, 2025; comparable YoY change not published
KPA 2025 public information
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Official container throughput, 2025; comparable YoY change not published
KPA 2025 public information
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National commercial-berth total, 2025; comparable YoY change not published
KPA 2025 public information
How many seaports does Kuwait have?
Kuwait has 11 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage figure rather than a claim about every facility regulated or operated nationally.
Which port is the main commercial gateway?
Shuwaikh is the principal commercial gateway represented in the sample, identified by UN/LOCODE KWSWH. Shuaiba, coded KWSAA, is another important cargo and industrial port.
Which areas handle Kuwait’s main maritime cargo flows?
Cargo activity is concentrated around the Kuwait City and Shuwaikh area, the southern Shuaiba industrial area, and the Mina Saud and Mina Al Ahmadi energy-related cluster, represented by KWMSD and KWMEA.
Top Ports in Kuwait by Indexed Activity
The table follows the supplied activity order for Kuwait records. A standardized 2025 TEU league-table figure and year-on-year change are not published consistently for every individual facility in the available public material, so the three ranking fields are left together as unavailable rather than estimated.
Kuwait port records and indicative 2025 statistics
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Kuwait | KWKWI | — | — | Kuwait City area |
| — | Shuwaikh | KWSWH | — | — | Kuwait City area |
| — | Shuaiba | KWSAA | — | — | Southern industrial coast |
| — | Khor Al Mufatta | KWKAM | — | — | Southern Kuwait |
| — | Mena Saud | KWMSD | — | — | Southern energy cluster |
| — | Mena Al Ahmadi | KWMEA | — | — | Southern energy cluster |
Kuwait Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Kuwait’s port records can be grouped by operating geography and commercial function. City and province values below follow the supplied database fields; blank province fields are shown as not specified.
Kuwait City and Shuwaikh Area
The northern commercial cluster supports general cargo, containerized imports, consumer goods and city-region distribution.
Commercial port records
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | KWKWI | Kuwait / Not specified | National commercial gateway record |
| Shuwaikh | KWSWH | Shuwaikh / Not specified | Containers, general cargo and imports |
| Kuwait | KWKUW | Not specified / Not specified | City-level port-code record |
| Shuwaikh Port | KWSWK | Not specified / Not specified | Terminal-level commercial record |
| Salmiya | KWSMY | Hawalli / Not specified | Local coastal and support activity |
Southern Industrial Coast
The southern coast contains industrial and cargo facilities serving manufacturing, bulk movements and project-related logistics.
Industrial and cargo port records
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuaiba | KWSAA | Shuaiba / Not specified | Industrial cargo, containers and bulk shipments |
| Khor Al Mufatta | KWKAM | Khor Al Mufatta / Not specified | Industrial and coastal cargo role |
Southern Energy Cluster
Mena Saud, Mena Al Ahmadi and Mena Abdulla are associated with Kuwait’s southern energy and industrial maritime corridor. Exact cargo allocation should be confirmed with the terminal and carrier.
Energy and industrial port records
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mena Saud | KWMSD | Mena Saud / Not specified | Energy-related and industrial cargo |
| Mena Al Ahmadi | KWMEA | Mena Al Ahmadi / Not specified | Energy-related maritime activity |
| Mena Abdulla | KWMAB | Mena Abdulla / Not specified | Energy and industrial cargo |
| Mena Al Ahmadi | KWMAA | Not specified / Not specified | Terminal-level energy record |
Kuwait UN/LOCODE and Port Code Guide
UN/LOCODE references help carriers, forwarders, customs teams and logistics platforms identify transport locations consistently. Always validate the exact location against the booking, terminal and shipping instruction.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A city-level record can represent a broader location, while a terminal-level record may identify a specific operating facility or commonly used trade name. Similar names such as Kuwait, Shuwaikh and Mena Al Ahmadi should therefore be checked against the code, city and booking instructions.
How to Verify a Kuwait Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference, then review the indexed records on the Ecer Freight port directory. Carrier schedules and terminal instructions remain the final operational check.
Shipping from Kuwait: Main Trade Lanes
Kuwait trade-lane planning depends on vessel schedule, transshipment design, equipment availability, commodity controls and the final inland destination. Transit times are indicative and subject to confirmation.
Kuwait to East Asia
A common lane for machinery, consumer goods, electronics and industrial inputs moving between Kuwait and major Asian manufacturing markets.
Kuwait to Europe
European services support project cargo, industrial equipment, packaged goods and regular import replenishment, often through regional hub connections.
Kuwait to the Indian Subcontinent
Shorter Gulf and Arabian Sea connections serve food products, manufactured goods, construction materials and regional distribution flows.
Kuwait to the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea
Regional feeder and short-sea movements connect Kuwait with Gulf markets and Red Sea gateways, with schedules affected by transshipment and port rotations.
Kuwait Port Data Methodology
This page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed port coverage from official national statistics and from international container-port rankings. Values are reviewed against available public information and operational naming conventions.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 11 Kuwait port and terminal records, snapshot reviewed in Nov 2026.
- UNECE — reference framework for UN/LOCODE country and location identifiers.
- Kuwait Ports Authority — official port operations, facility and traffic information where publicly available.
- Kuwait Ministry of Communications — national transport and maritime-sector context where publicly available.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — navigational and geographic reference context for port identification.
Kuwait Port FAQ
How many seaports does Kuwait have?
Kuwait has 11 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. The figure represents indexed coverage and may differ from an official operating-port count.
What is the main commercial port in Kuwait?
Shuwaikh is generally treated as Kuwait’s principal commercial gateway in the indexed sample and is identified by UN/LOCODE KWSWH. Shuaiba, KWSAA, is also significant for industrial and cargo operations.
What is the UN/LOCODE prefix for Kuwait?
The UN/LOCODE country prefix for Kuwait is KW. A complete location code combines KW with a three-character location identifier, such as KWSWH.
Which regions contain Kuwait’s main ports?
The main indexed clusters are the Kuwait City and Shuwaikh commercial area, the southern industrial coast around Shuaiba, and the southern energy cluster around Mena Saud, Mena Al Ahmadi and Mena Abdulla.
Are Kuwait port throughput figures current?
The page was prepared for 2026 with a Nov 2026 snapshot and uses the most recent complete statistical year, 2025, where a reliable comparable public figure is available. Facility-level TEU and year-on-year figures remain subject to confirmation.
How can a shipper request a Kuwait sea-freight rate?
A shipper can request an FCL or LCL quotation by specifying the Kuwait origin or destination port, cargo description, container or package details, Incoterms, expected shipping date and final inland delivery location.
Editorial note: Kuwait port names, UN/LOCODE records and indexed coverage are maintained from the Ecer Freight ports database and reviewed quarterly. Official operating statistics, schedules, terminal availability and carrier transit times can change and should be confirmed before booking.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Kuwait: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact