Top 5 ports in China in 2024

China's maritime industry will once again usher in an extremely successful year in 2024. From January to October, Container throughput at 12 major Chinese ports reached 276.4 million TEU, a year-on-year increase of 7.6%.

Shanghai Port-43.25 million TEU

As the world's largest port, Shanghai Port will continue to top the list in 2024, becoming the busiest port in China and even the world for the fourth consecutive year. In the first 10 months of this year, Shanghai Port handled 43.25 million TEUs, up 7.6% year-on-year. Compared to last year, Shanghai Port started 2024 strongly, reaching 76.7 million TEUs in the first quarter, a 10% increase over the same period last year. In addition, Shanghai Port is also committed to reducing carbon emissions. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor partners released their first annual progress report in October this year, outlining the progress made in achieving zero lifecycle carbon emissions of container ships in the past 12 months. At the same time, Maersk announced that it will use Shanghai as its new global LCL cargo (LCL) gateway, adding more than 50 trade routes, bringing more than 200 direct LCL routes connected through Shanghai Port.

Ningbo Zhoushan Port-32.83 million TEU

Ningbo Zhoushan Port, located in Zhejiang Province, ranked second for the fourth consecutive year. The port handled 32.83 million TEUs in the first 10 months of 2024, up 8.8% year-on-year. Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group and ONE recently held a conference in China to discuss best practices and explore new approaches to shore power consumption.

Shenzhen Port-27.66 million TEU

The Port of Shenzhen continues to maintain its third position, with throughput of 27.66 million TEU in the first 10 months of this year, up 14.9% year-on-year, despite a slight decline last year. Shenzhen Port is also accelerating its decarbonization work. In September this year, Shenzhen Port Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Long Beach Port and other partners to jointly decarbonize marine trade.

Qingdao Port-25.76 million TEU

Qingdao Port, located on the coast of the Yellow Sea, ranked fourth for the third consecutive year. In the first 10 months of 2024, Qingdao Port handled 25.76 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of 7.8%. While this growth rate has slowed from 11.7% in 2023, it still shows solid growth momentum.

Guangzhou Port-21.75 million TEU

The Port of Guangzhou maintained its fifth place for the third consecutive year, handling 21.75 million TEUs in the first 10 months of 2024, up 4.7% year-on-year. Although this is the lowest annual growth rate of any port on the list, it is still an increase of 2.2 percentage points compared to 2.5% in 2023. Earlier this year, the Greek Port of Piraeus and the Port of Guangzhou entered into a partnership that saw both parties pledge to build a lasting alliance to address current and future challenges and plan to increase green investments and innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions.