Shanghai Port crosses 40 Million TEU Mark, Reinforces Global Leadership

SHANGHAI: China’s maritime sector continues to demonstrate remarkable strength as Shanghai Port crossed the landmark threshold of 40 million TEUs, consolidating its position as the world’s busiest container gateway. The milestone comes amid lingering global trade uncertainties, reflecting the resilience and efficiency of China’s port network.

According to the latest data, Shanghai Port handled 4.83 million TEUs in September 2025, a 13.6% increase over the previous month. The cumulative throughput for the first nine months reached 41.5 million TEUs, marking a 6.2% year-on-year rise.

Trailing closely, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port maintained its growth momentum with 3.83 million TEUs handled in September, up 12.7% month-on-month. Its total throughput for the year so far climbed to 32.5 million TEUs, representing an impressive 9.9% annual increase.

Other leading Chinese ports also reported steady progress. Qingdao Port posted a 6.5% monthly increase to 2.8 million TEUs, while Tianjin Port rose 3.3% to 2.22 million TEUs. Shenzhen, following an active summer peak, recorded a slight slowdown of 12.4% month-on-month to 2.63 million TEUs, but remained 5.4% higher than last year’s levels. Guangzhou Port saw a 5.6% dip to 2.02 million TEUs, yet sustained a 5% year-on-year gain.

Among emerging regional hubs, Beibu Gulf Port continued its upward climb with a 12% monthly surge to 840,000 TEUs, underscoring the strategic rise of Guangxi’s ASEAN trade corridors. Yingkou, Xiamen, and Dalian also posted healthy growth of 11.4%, 4.9%, and 2.2%, respectively.

The consistent double-digit growth at several key ports highlights China’s sustained dominance in global container shipping and its ability to adapt swiftly to evolving trade dynamics. With major infrastructure upgrades and digitalisation driving efficiency, China’s coastal ports are expected to maintain their strong performance as the year closes.