Top 20 Busiest Container Ports | Generated by AI
As of April 2025, here’s a general overview of global port rankings and the top 20 ports, primarily based on container throughput (TEUs - Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), which is a common metric for measuring port activity:
Shantou Port’s Global Ranking:
Based on the latest available data (November 2024), Shantou Port’s container throughput for the year-to-date was 1,610,000 TEUs.
According to Lloyd’s List “One Hundred Container Ports 2024” ranking, Shantou Port is ranked at 99th globally. Keep in mind that rankings can vary slightly depending on the source and the specific year’s data they are based on.
Top 20 Busiest Container Ports in the World (Estimates for 2023/Early 2024):
Please note that the exact rankings and throughput can vary between different reporting agencies and may have slight variations for the full year 2023. However, the following generally represents the top 20 busiest container ports globally:
| Rank | Port Name | Country/Region | Estimated TEU (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | China | 49-50 |
| 2 | Singapore | Singapore | 38-40 |
| 3 | Ningbo-Zhoushan | China | 34-36 |
| 4 | Shenzhen | China | 29-30 |
| 5 | Guangzhou | China | 25-26 |
| 6 | Qingdao | China | 25-26 |
| 7 | Busan | South Korea | 22-24 |
| 8 | Tianjin | China | 21-22 |
| 9 | Hong Kong | China (SAR) | 14-15 |
| 10 | Jebel Ali | UAE | 14-15 |
| 11 | Port Klang | Malaysia | 13-14 |
| 12 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | 13-14 |
| 13 | Xiamen | China | 12-13 |
| 14 | Antwerp-Bruges | Belgium | 12-13 |
| 15 | Tanjung Pelepas | Malaysia | 10-11 |
| 16 | Laem Chabang | Thailand | 8-9 |
| 17 | Kaohsiung | Taiwan, China | 8-9 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | USA | 8-9 |
| 19 | Tanger Med | Morocco | 8-9 |
| 20 | Taicang | China | 8-9 |
Key Observations about the Top 20:
- Dominance of Asia: The list is heavily dominated by ports in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in China. This reflects the region’s significant role in global manufacturing and trade.
- Major Hubs: Many of these ports serve as major transshipment hubs, where containers are transferred between different vessels to reach their final destinations.
- Economic Powerhouses: The locations of these top ports align with major global economic centers and trade routes.
It’s important to remember that these rankings are dynamic and can change year to year based on economic trends, trade policies, and port development.