Top 10 Biggest Ports in the World
Introduction
Ports serve as docking points for vessels and crucial hubs connecting water and land transportation. Many coastal cities have developed and expanded primarily through maritime trade. Indeed, the busier a port is, the faster its city tends to grow. Since China’s reform and opening-up, its vigorous development of maritime trade has achieved remarkable success, with several international ports now playing a significant role in global shipping. Below is a compiled list of the world’s top ten ports, including the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Port of Singapore, Port of Shanghai, Port of Guangzhou, and Port of Qingdao. Let’s take a closer look at the details!
Top 10 Biggest Ports in the World
- Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
- Port of Singapore
- Port of Shanghai
- Port of Guangzhou
- Port of Qingdao
- Port of Busan
- Port of Tianjin
- Port of Suzhou
- Port of Shenzhen
- Port of Dubai
Top 10 Biggest Ports – An Overview
1. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
Located at the intersection of the Yangtze River Delta and eastern coastal region, it serves as a critical node in the Yangtze Delta’s transportation network, connecting major cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo. It is China’s primary container trunk line port, largest iron ore transshipment base, crude oil transfer hub, key liquid chemical storage center, and vital coal/grain storage base in East China. As a national hub port, it achieved 1.172 billion tons cargo throughput (+4.7% YoY) and 28.72 million TEUs (+4.3% YoY) in 2020, ranking first globally in cargo volume for 12 consecutive years and third in container volume.
Location: Ningbo and Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
2. Port of Singapore
Situated on Singapore’s southern coast bordering the Malacca Strait (west) and Singapore Strait (south), it is Asia-Pacific’s second-largest port and globally renowned container hub. Its strategic position on the Pacific-Indian Ocean shipping route established it as an international transshipment center since the 13th century. Handling 36.9 million TEUs in 2020 (-0.9% YoY), it remains Singapore’s economic core.
Location: Singapore
3. Port of Shanghai
China’s largest port connects coastal routes and global oceans while extending into the Yangtze Basin. Terminals along Huangpu River leverage delta terrain for efficient highway/rail logistics. Services include cargo handling, storage, pilotage, and shipping agency. Achieved 6.51 billion tons cargo and 43.5 million TEUs in 2020.
Location: Baoshan District, Shanghai, China
4. Port of Guangzhou
At the Pearl River’s eastern/western/northern branches confluence, it is South China’s key international trade hub and water-land transport center. Operating 179 container routes (131 international), it handles oil, coal, grain, fertilizers, steel, ore, and containers with bonded services. 2020 throughput: 636 million tons cargo (490M domestic), 23.5 million TEUs (14.45M domestic), ranking fifth globally.
Location: Nansha District, Guangzhou, China
5. Port of Qingdao
Established 1892 at the Bohai Rim-Yangtze Delta-Japan/Korea port cluster intersection, this natural deep-water port offers full logistics services (handling/storage/processing/passenger transport). Traded with 700+ ports in 180 countries. 2020 performance: 610M tons cargo (+4.7%), 450M tons foreign trade (+5.9%), 22.01M TEUs (+4.7%).
Location: Qingdao, Shandong, China
6. Port of Busan
On South Korea’s southeast coast bordering Korea Strait (southeast) and Nakdong River (west), it is a vital sea-land-air hub supporting textiles, petrochemicals, machinery, and shipbuilding industries. Handled 21.81 million TEUs in 2020.
Location: Busan, South Korea
7. Port of Tianjin
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei’s maritime gateway and Belt & Road key node. Modern deep-water port with 192 berths (128 >10,000-ton capacity). 2020 throughput: 503M tons cargo (+2.2%), 18.35M TEUs.
Location: Binhai New Area, Tianjin, China
8. Port of Suzhou
Integrated port at Yangtze River mouth combining Zhangjiagang, Changshu, and Taicang terminals. Jiangsu Province’s crucial hub. 2020 results: 554M tons cargo (+6%), 6.29M TEUs (+4.3%).
Location: Lower Yangtze River South Bank, Suzhou, China
9. Port of Shenzhen
Pearl River Delta hub near Hong Kong, evolved from bulk cargo to container specialization. 2020 throughput: 265M tons cargo (+2.8%), 26.55M TEUs (+3%).
Location: Binhai Avenue, Shenzhen, China
10. Port of Dubai
UAE’s largest port (includes Rashid/Jebel Ali terminals) at Asia-Europe-Africa junction. Global transshipment and ship repair center with shipbuilding, plastics, and cement industries. Handled 13.49M TEUs in 2020.
Location: UAE