Which are the world's largest container ports in 2024?

Despite all the advancements in air transportation, a large portion of shipments worldwide is still sent by sea, a method that has been used for centuries. Given Asia's geographic location on major trade routes, the busiest and largest container ports in the world are found in this region. If you’d like to know more about these ports, stick around to the end of this blog.

The world’s largest container ports

Before we dive in, it’s worth noting that several factors determine the largest container ports, including total cargo tonnage, the number of ships passing through, and TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit). Considering these criteria, China hosts four of the largest ports globally and seven of the top ten, which isn't surprising given the size of its economy.

Introducing the world's largest container ports

According to data from scf.com.au, here are some of the world’s largest container ports:

Shanghai is one of the busiest and largest container ports in the world, with its origins dating back to 1842. Located on China’s east coast in the Hangzhou Bay, the Huangpu and Yangtze rivers flow through it. In 2022, around 47 million TEU passed through this port.

Spanning over 4 square kilometers and equipped with advanced infrastructure, the port handles the following exports and imports:

• Exports: Cars, computers, phones
• Imports: Iron ore, gold

Interesting fact: The Port of Shanghai also has a cruise terminal that serves over a million passengers annually and handles a quarter of China’s trade.

In 1819, British officer Stamford Raffles was tasked with establishing the Port of Singapore, now one of the world’s largest container ports. The port played a crucial role in transforming the country’s economy and was the world’s largest port until 2010, when it was surpassed by Shanghai.

In 2022, the port handled about 37 million TEU, and 130,000 ships from 123 countries passed through it. With over 200 berths, the port connects trade between Asia, Europe, and the Americas and remains a vital commercial hub due to its strategic location.

Here’s a look at Singapore’s key exports and imports:

• Exports: Oil, chemical products, oil tanks, medical devices
• Imports: Electrical equipment, mineral fuels, computers, diamonds, and precious metals

Ranked third among the world’s largest container ports, Ningbo-Zhoushan is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River on China’s east coast. With over 400 berths, the port is across the bay from Shanghai.

Ningbo was founded in 738 during the Tang dynasty, and it merged with Zhoushan in 2006. In 2022, around 33.35 million TEU passed through the port, making it a major player in global shipping. One of the main imports here is crude oil, valued at over 150 billion yuan annually.

Here’s a snapshot of its exports and imports:

• Exports: Electric machinery, textiles, manufactured goods
• Imports: Iron ore, coal, other mineral compounds

Unlike other ports on this list, Shenzhen is relatively new, established in 1980. It consists of ports along China’s Guangdong coastline, divided into eastern and western sections. Shenzhen stretches across 260 kilometers of China’s coastline and hosts over 40 shipping lines that connect to 130 countries. In 2021, the port handled about 28.77 million TEU.

Some of Shenzhen’s main exports include:

• Mechanical and electronic products
• Computers
• Mobile phones

The Port of Qingdao consists of four ports—Dagang, Qianwan, Guangdong, and Dongjiakou. It is one of the largest container ports in the world and an important trade hub in the Western Pacific.

Opened in the 18th century, Qingdao is equipped with the world’s first suspended monorail system for container transportation, reducing energy consumption and being environmentally friendlier for short distances compared to trucks.

Another one of the world’s largest container ports is Guangzhou, which dates back to the Qin and Han dynasties. It connects with over 300 ports across 100 countries. Located in southern China’s Guangdong province, Guangzhou serves as a major entry point for trade in the southern part of the country.

In 2022, about 24.6 million TEU passed through this strategic port.

Guangzhou’s key exports include:

• Tea
• Silk
• Copper
• Iron and gold

Busan is located near the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and is divided into two main sections: the eastern part focuses on international trade, while the western part is dedicated to fishing. This vital gateway connects South Korea to the Pacific Ocean and many of the world’s largest container ports.

Built in 1876, Busan was the first Korean port to open for trade with Japan before other countries were allowed to trade in 1883.

Key exports and imports of the Port of Busan:

• Exports: Cars, refined oil, auto parts, machinery
• Imports: Electronic equipment, medical and optical devices, iron ore

In this article, we’ve explored some of the world’s largest container ports, their role in global trade, and their most important exports and imports. If you're looking to expand your business through these ports, you can trust Excells Shipping’s professional team to handle your shipments smoothly and efficiently. For more information, feel free to reach out to our experts.

Frequently Asked Questions about the World’s Largest Container Ports