Laem Chabang Port — How Exports Actually Leave Thailand
Laem Chabang is the gateway for most Thai manufacturing exports. If you're sourcing from Thailand, your containers almost certainly leave from here. Here's how it actually works.
Port Basics
Laem Chabang Port (LCBP) sits in Si Racha district, Chon Buri — about 100km southeast of Bangkok. It's Thailand's largest container port by volume (~8 million TEU/year) and one of Southeast Asia's top 10.
Three main terminals:
- Terminal A — oldest, handled by LCMT (Laem Chabang Container Terminal)
- Terminal B — expanded in 2010s, higher throughput
- Terminal C — ongoing phase-3 expansion (2025-2028), adding 3.5M TEU capacity
Most industrial estate suppliers in Chon Buri and Rayong are within 20-60km of the port entrance.
Key Shipping Lines and Services
Major carriers calling Laem Chabang:
| Carrier | Main Services |
|---|---|
| Evergreen | Intra-Asia, Europe |
| COSCO / OOCL | Asia, North America, Europe |
| Maersk / MSC | Global coverage |
| ONE (Ocean Network Express) | Japan, Korea, global |
| Yang Ming | Intra-Asia, transpacific |
Frequency: multiple sailings per week to Korea, Japan, China. Weekly to Europe (transit ~25-30 days via Suez).
Transit Times from Laem Chabang
| Destination | Transit Time |
|---|---|
| Busan (Korea) | 4-6 days |
| Yokohama / Osaka (Japan) | 4-7 days |
| Shanghai / Ningbo | 3-5 days |
| Rotterdam (Europe) | 25-30 days |
| Los Angeles (US West) | 18-22 days |
What Slows Shipments Down
Common delays buyers should budget for:
- Cut-off missed — containers must arrive at gate 24-48h before vessel departure
- Document errors — incorrect HS code, wrong Incoterm, missing C/O
- Customs exam — random X-ray or physical inspection adds 1-3 days
- Port congestion — rare but happens during peak season (Oct-Dec)
Working with Freight Forwarders
Most Thai exporters use a freight forwarder (ตัวแทนขนส่ง) to handle booking, documentation, and port coordination. Fees: $100-300 per FCL. For first-time importers, using an experienced forwarder with Laem Chabang experience is strongly recommended.
Browse logistics and 3PL suppliers in our directory or warehouse operators near Laem Chabang for bonded storage options.