The Port of Hualien, on Taiwan’s east coast, is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Central Mountain Range to the west.  It is a man-made harbor enclosed by protective breakwaters.  The port has been a port of call for international shipping since September 1st, 1963 and is administered by the Hualien Harbor Bureau.

The port currently operates 25 wharves with a combined handling capacity of 34 million tons per year.  Also on site are 6 warehouses segregated into 15 storage units, 38 container yards, one temporary container collection depot, 4 port authority tugboats and one transport ship.  The port’s complete range of facilities is well equipped to facilitate the commercial development and cargo shipping needs of Taiwan’s eastern seaboard. The port handles primarily bulk materials -- the most important of which include sand, gravel, concrete, iron ore, wood chips and coal.

Supporting government efforts to facilitate the transport of east coast sand and gravel to the western and northern sections of the island, the Port of Hualien has been operating on a 24-hour a day schedule since January 16th, 2004.  Round the clock operations are both helping to ease sand and gravel shortages and increasing Hualien’s attractiveness to shipping companies and cargo owners.  With the over 21 million tons in handled cargo in 2005 breaking all records and port accounts now showing a profit, the Port of Hualien is spearheading economic development in eastern Taiwan and on track to become an important international commercial port.        Taiwan’s eastern seaboard is blessed with imposing, forest-fringed mountains, checkerboard fields of rice and tropical fruit, popular tourist spots, and the island’s most stunning coastline scenery.  The Port of Hualien serves as an important engine of the region’s economy and a portal to other parts of the island and to the world.  Into the future, while continuing to develop facilities and services essential to commercial growth, the port will also begin to develop the area’s significant potential for ocean tourism and other recreational activities.  Set to foster new opportunities for east coast tourism and for area businesses, the Port of Hualien is ready to serve as a multifunction port solidly grounded in both the shipping and tourism/recreation sectors.

◎ Other websites 　Hualien county Government 　Hualien Harbor Bureau 　Central Weather Bureau