The Muara Port (Malay: Pelabuhan Muara), also known as Muara Harbour,^[2] is a seaport operated by the Muara Port Company (MPC) Sdn Bhd, under the supervision of the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam.^[3][4] The port also contributed to the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).^[4]

The port's strategic location allows access to the Oceania, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.^[5] The port lies 28 km from the capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan and it was considered to be the Gateway for Trade.^[4][6] The Muara Naval Base lies north-east of the port,^[7] and Muara Besar Island in the west.^[8][9] The port also contains a free trade zone, which is known as the Muara Export Zone (MEZ).^[10]

In 1973, the port was officially completed and it became the largest port in Brunei.^[5] In 1982, the port underwent a B$26.5 million expansion project.^[11] It can also be noted after 1997, the port might not have been in use due to the decline in cargo volume.^[12] The Port Authority bought two quay cranes in 1996.^[13]

In 2000, a joint venture was made with the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA),^[14] and later on 23 June 2003 United States Navy warships USS Vincennes (CG-49) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) were berthed at the port during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).^[15][16] Once again during CARAT 2005, USS Safeguard (T-ARS-50), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) were present at Muara Port.^[17]

In 2011, there has been regional competition between Bintulu Port and Muara Port.^[18] In 2013, three inland container depots have been upgraded,^[19] and in 2014, the Belt and Road Initiative's Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor (BGEC) was signed between Brunei and China.^[20] The Muara Port Company is a joint ventured company between Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and Beibu Gulf Holding formed on 15 February 2017,^[21] and later on 18 July 2018 the Muara Container Terminal was acquired by the company.^[22] On 26 March 2019, Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose (F236) arrived at the port to conduct exercises,^[23] and later from 27 until 30 September, the People's Liberation Army Navy training ship Qi Jiguang was berthed at the port during a goodwill visit.^[24]

The MPC signed an agreement with the Brunei government to build and acquire the largest fishing complex in Brunei on 22 December 2020, thus enhancing the Brunei–China relations.^[25] On 5 June 2021, the pre-commencement ceremony of the Muara Port Expansion Project was attended by the Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong, Minister of Finance and Economy and Minister of Transport and InfoCommunications.^[26][27] On 30 January 2021, the French Navy frigate Vendémiaire (F 734) made a three-day visit to Brunei,^[28] and later on 27 July, HMS Defender (D36) became the first Royal Navy ship to visit Brunei since 2019.^[29]

Plans were made to expand the port by 2023, in which it will increase the quay length and capacity from 280,000 TEUs to 500,000.^[30]

There are several designated areas and facilities within the port:

• A 72,500 m² (780,000 sq ft) container yard^[22]
• 7,050 m² (75,900 sq ft) of transit warehouses^[22]
• A 861 m (2,825 ft) long mooring quay^[22]
• A 5,000 m² (54,000 sq ft) container freight station^[22]
• 32,011 m² (344,560 sq ft) of warehouses^[22]
• 18,427 m² (198,350 sq ft) of Muara inland container depot^[22]
• 22,280 m² (239,800 sq ft) of Muara export zone^[22]