10 largest seaports in the world: Given that 90% of all commerce takes place over the ocean, the marine shipping sector is obviously essential to the continued existence and expansion of the world economy.
The busiest ports in the world and their capacity to regulate the movement of goods into and out of them as final destinations, origins, or transhipment sites are among its most important maritime stakeholders.
Read More
It is not unexpected that Chinese ports top the list of the greatest ports in the world, considering China’s robust economy. In addition to topping this list, China is home to over half of the world’s top 10 largest seaports.
1. Shanghai Port in China
Since 2010, Shanghai’s port has expanded significantly, surpassing Singapore to become the busiest port globally.
The Port of Shanghai is the busiest port in the world, having handled over 43 million TEUs of containers in 2019. An essential entry point for Chinese trade and business with the international market is the Port of Shanghai. It is located in the heart of China’s economic superpower, the Yangtze River Delta.
![The top 10 largest seaports in the world](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/220401030739-shanghai-port-02022022-restricted-1536x946-1-1024x631.webp)
With 200 berths and state-of-the-art equipment, the port can accommodate large ships and cargo with ease. The Port of Shanghai serves as a major hub for global trade and commerce, and its strategic position and excellent infrastructure only serve to emphasise its importance.
Part of the Shanghai Port includes the largest automated container port in the world, the Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNSHG
- Monthly throughput record: 4.20M TEU
- Total Annual Container Throughput: 43.5M TEU
- Vessels in port: 2290
- Annual cargo tonnage: 514 million
- Number of employees: 13546
- Major exports: Cars, Integrated Circuits, Computers, Telephones
- Major imports: Processors and Controllers, Iron Ore, Concentrate, Gold, Medium-sized cars
- Major trading partners: United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Germany
2. Singapore’s Port of Singapore ( 10 largest seaports in the world )
Prior to the Port of Shanghai surpassing Singapore in 2010, the former was the busiest port globally. The Port of Singapore today offers access to over 600 ports in 123 countries spread over six continents, with 130,000 boats arriving at the port annually. Approximately 20% of all shipping containers are handled at this busiest transhipment port in the world.
![](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_303476003-1-jpg.webp)
With more than 200 berths and a prime location, the port links Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Thanks to its state-of-the-art logistics and transportation network, as well as its remarkable container handling capabilities, the Port of Singapore is a hub for international trade and business.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: SGSIN
- Annual TEU: 37.2 million TEUs
- Berths: 84
- Average vessel arrival annually: 140000
- Major imports: Electrical Machinery, Equipment, Mineral Fuels Including Oil, Machinery including computers, Gems, Precious Metal, Optical, Technical, and Medical Apparatus
- Major exports: Electrical Machinery, Petroleum, Chemical Products, Miscellaneous manufactured articles, Oil bunkers
- Major Trade partners: China, United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan
3. China’s Shenzhen Port
The third-largest port in the world and the second-largest port in China is the Port of Shenzhen. This name is used to refer to several ports in the region, such as Yantian, Chiwan, Dachan Bay, and Shekou.
![The top 10 largest seaports in the world](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/562c90dd-65bf-4158-90f7-a0be34d38e52-1024x614.webp)
Because of the region’s technological breakthroughs, many tech businesses have established themselves, including Tencent, Huawei, and SenseTime. Sometimes referred to as the “Silicon Valley of China,” Shenzhen is growing in importance as a global centre for technology.
The Port of Shenzhen has seen a growth in trade and container transportation due to the industrial activity and investments made by the city. The port’s steady improvement allowed it to pass the nearby Port of Hong Kong and climb to third position in 2013.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNSZX
- Container traffic in 2018: 27.7 million TEU
- Cargo tonnage in 2018: 194.9 million tons
- It stretches along 260 Km of coast
- 130 container lines
- Number of employees: 12454
- Total foreign trade, including Imports: 3.45 Trillion Yuan
- Three main ports: Yantian Port, Nanshan Port and Dachan Bay Port
- Major exports: Mechanical and Electronic products, Computers, Data processing Devices, Spare parts, Mobile phones, Audio and Video equipment
4. China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port ( 10 largest seaports in the world )
Once autonomous ports, Ningbo and Zhoushan merged to form the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in 2006, which is currently the world’s fourth-largest port.
![](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/202212154cf5107f636349f99cf4c7f7c82ceb61_daff0ae5-5e9c-4a32-8bb0-b922a05c4efd-jpg.webp)
An important point of entry for trade and business in the area is the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan. It is ideally located on China’s eastern shore, at the mouth of the Yangtze River.
With more than 400 berths, the port is well-known for its state-of-the-art features, which include container storage chambers and sophisticated terminal equipment.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNNBG
- Container traffic in 2018: 26.4 million TEU
- Cargo tonnage in 2018: 1.12 billion tons
- Container throughput in 2019: 27.535 million TEU
- Number of employees: 17425
- Top Trading partners: European Union, United States, ASEAN
- The total worth of assets: 124.1 Billion
- Total Value of Import and Exports at the port: $270.77 Billion
- Largest Import: Crude Oil worth 153.48 Billion Yuan
5. China’s Port of Guangzhou
Located in the southern province of Guangdong, the Port of Guangzhou is a significant gateway for business and trade into south China.
![The top 10 largest seaports in the world](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/nansha-channel-deepening-09142020-jpg.webp)
In 2018, the Port of Guangzhou broke its own record by handling 21.87 million TEUs, placing it as the fifth busiest port globally. The handling volume was 7.4% more than the port’s volume in 2017.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNGZG
- Container traffic: 24.2 million TEU
- Cargo tonnage: 600 million tons
- Minimum wage: US$300
- GDP growth rate: 8.3%
- Number of terminals: 8
- Major exports: Tea, Silk, Paper, Copper, Iron, Gold and Silver
- Major trading partners: U.S, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand
6. South Korea’s Port of Busan ( 10 largest seaports in the world )
Moving on from China, the Port of Busan in South Korea is the sixth busiest port worldwide. It is an essential point of entry for trade and commerce in the region, acting as a gateway to other Asian countries and beyond.
![](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/123-1024x539.webp)
It is located on the southeast coast of South Korea. In addition, Busan Port is the world’s third-largest transhipment port.The port of Busan handled 11.46 million TEUs in transshipments in 2018, an increase of 11.5% over the previous year.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: KRPUS
- Vessels in Port: 499
- Expected Arrivals: 273
- Container throughput: 22.7 million TEU
- Major exports: Circuits, Cars, Refined Petroleum, Passengers and Cargo ships, Vehicle parts
- Major Imports: Electrical equipment, Mineral Fuels, Oils, Distillation products, Machinery, Nuclear Reactor, Boilers, optical, Medical apparatus, Vehicle, Iron ores and ash
- Major trade partners: United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Netherlands, USA, China
7. China’s Port of Hong Kong
The Port of Hong Kong is a significant transhipment port, much like the Ports of Singapore and Busan.
![The top 10 largest seaports in the world](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hong_kong_port_banner.png)
At the start of the 20th century, the Port of Hong Kong was one of the most significant ports in southern China. But during the last three decades, Hong Kong’s pot has fallen a few spots in the ranking due to China’s growing clout in global trade.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: HKHKG
- Container traffic in 2018: 19.6 million
- Cargo tonnage in 2018: 258.5 million tons
- Land area: 279 hectares
- Available berths: 24
- Main export: Cermets, Blank audio Media, Oscilloscopes, Metalworking Transfer Machines
- Major imports: equipment, manufactured goods and articles, chemical, mineral fuels
- Major trading partners: Taiwan, USA, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, India
8. China’s Qingdao Port ( 10 largest seaports in the world )
The Port of Qingdao in China was founded in 1892 and is comprised of the port sectors of Dongjiakou, Guangdong, Qianwan, and Dagang.
![](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Qingdao-jpg.webp)
It is acknowledged as one of the ports most crucial to trade in the West Pacific.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNQDG
- Container traffic in 2018: 18.26 million TEU
- Cargo tonnage in 2018: 600 million tons
- Tied up with Busan Port, South Korea
- Number of Employees: 9,218
- Major cargo handled: Grains, steel Products, Fertilizers, Finish Product Oil, Alumina, Frozen Products
- Major trade partners: ASEAN, United States, EU
9. China’s Port of Tianjin
Situated just 150 kilometres away from Beijing, the Port of Tianjin is officially acknowledged as the port of entry for ships arriving in the Chinese capital.
![The top 10 largest seaports in the world](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Tinjian-Port-1536x863-1-1024x575.webp)
The five primary regions that make up the Port of Tianjin are Beijing, Haihe, Nanjiang, Beigang, and Dongjiang.
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: CNTXG
- Container traffic in 2018: 15.97 million TEU
- Cargo tonnage in 2018: 428.7 million tons
- Ranked 4th in terms of cargo traffic
- Ranked 9th in terms of container traffic
- Major imports: Fixed-wing aircraft, Unladen weight, Soya beans, Electronic Integrated circuits, Iron ore, Medium-sized cars
- Major exports: telephone sets, processors and controllers, bicycles, cargo containers
- Major trade partners: United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam
10. The UAE’s Port of Jebel Ali ( 10 largest seaports in the world )
Since its opening in 1979, the port of Jebel Ali has been more significant in the world’s marine industry. It is the biggest artificial harbour in the world, in addition to being the busiest and biggest port in the Middle East.
![](https://trendsha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Capture-1.png)
Short Information
- UN/LOCODE: AEJEA
- Annual Container Volume: 13.6 million TEUs
- Berths: 67
- Number of Terminals: 3
- Vessels in port: 85
- Expected Arrivals: 71
- Berths: 67
- Major Exports: Crude petroleum, Gold, Refined Petroleum, Broadcasting equipment, Diamonds
- Major Imports: Gold, Broadcasting equipment, Cars Diamonds
- Major trade partners: China, India, United States, Saudi Arabia, Germany
Share this content: