Container port throughput directly reflects the direction and scale of international trade. As of 2025, among the world's top 20 container ports, Chinese ports occupy 9 seats, 6 of which are among the top 10. The following is based on 2025 throughput data released by China's Ministry of Transport and various port authorities, outlining the ranking landscape of the world's major container ports for cargo owners to refer to when selecting shipping ports.
Further reading: Overview of Chinese Ports for the overall layout of China's port clusters; Major Seaports in China for a one-by-one review of China's ports; Major Seaports in the World to learn about global ports by region.
Global Top 20 Container Port Rankings (2025)
In 2025, the top ten global container ports by throughput are as follows:
| Rank | Port | Country/Region | 2025 Throughput |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port of Shanghai | China | 55.06 million TEU |
| 2 | Port of Singapore | Singapore | 44.66 million TEU |
| 3 | Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan | China | 43.87 million TEU |
| 4 | Port of Shenzhen | China | Approx. 35 million TEU |
| 5 | Port of Qingdao | China | Approx. 34.2 million TEU |
| 6 | Port of Guangzhou | China | Approx. 27.68 million TEU |
| 7 | Port of Busan | South Korea | Approx. 24.8 million TEU |
| 8 | Port of Tianjin | China | Approx. 24.03 million TEU |
| 9 | Port of Los Angeles–Long Beach | United States | Approx. 20.1 million TEU |
| 10 | Port of Jebel Ali | UAE | Approx. 15.5 million TEU |
The ports following closely behind and entering the top 20 include: Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Port of Hong Kong, Port of Xiamen, Port of Kaohsiung (China), Port of Laem Chabang (Thailand), Port of Hamburg (Germany), Port of New York-New Jersey (USA), etc. Among them, the Port of Hong Kong's container throughput in 2025 is approximately 11.8 million TEU, falling back to 15th place globally.
Chinese Ports Lead the Globe
In 2025, Chinese ports occupied 9 of the top 20 global ports, including 6 of the top 10. The Port of Shanghai ranked first globally for the 16th consecutive year, and Ningbo Zhoushan Port surpassed 40 million TEU for the first time to rise to third. Shenzhen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Tianjin all remained in the global top eight. In 2025, China's ports handled approximately 354 million TEU of container throughput, a year-on-year increase of about 6.8%. Chinese ports are an important hub in the global shipping network.
How cargo owners choose a loading port
Understanding port throughput rankings helps cargo owners make more informed decisions when booking space:
- Major trunk ports have frequent sailings: Trunk ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, and Qingdao have high liner frequency, fast cargo gathering, and short transit times, making them suitable for orders with strict delivery deadlines. However, during peak periods, congestion and rising operating costs may occur.
- Regional ports offer better overall costs: Regional hub ports such as Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Tianjin also connect to major global shipping routes. For nearby cargo sources, inland trucking distances are shorter, and overall costs may be more competitive.
- Choose ports based on routes and schedules: The specific choice should be evaluated comprehensively based on destination port route coverage, shipping company schedules, customs clearance deadlines, and local logistics costs. You may consult a professional freight forwarder for the optimal solution.
Data note: The throughput data in this article comes from the Ministry of Transport of China, public annual reports of port groups, and statistics from authoritative shipping consulting agencies. Differences exist due to different statistical scopes (national statistics or consolidated port areas). Actual rankings and figures are subject to the official releases of each port.
Bofeng Logistics specializes in providing one-stop logistics services including domestic container shipping, international shipping (FCL/LCL), Hong Kong and Macau logistics dedicated lines, as well as trucking, customs declaration, and warehousing. Contact number: 130-7567-8958 (Manager Huang), call now to get a customized quote!
Global Port Ranking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which is the world's largest container port?
A: Shanghai Port. In 2025, Shanghai Port handled approximately 55.06 million TEU of container throughput, maintaining the world's No. 1 position for 16 consecutive years, ahead of Singapore Port in second place (approximately 44.66 million TEU).
Q: Which Chinese ports rank among the global top ten?
A: Among the world's top ten container ports in 2025, China occupies 6 spots: Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Tianjin.
Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Bofeng Logistics team and verified as of August 2026. Port throughput, route and schedule data may change with annual statistical scopes and market conditions; always refer to the carrier's current published information for your shipment.
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