The most important ports in the world

Did you know that 90% of world trade is carried out using sea transport?

From the coasts of Asia to the shores of America, ports are much more than just places to moor.

They are spaces for carrying out economic and communication activities between different regions and countries.

In addition, the world’s most important ports are characterized by their large size, capacity and infrastructure, and the movement of products and people.

If you would like to know which are the true gateways for incoming and outgoing goods worldwide, this article is for you.

Where are the world’s most important ports?

If you are wondering where the most important ports on the planet are, the answer will take you to Asia. The region stands out as the epicenter of worldwide port activity.

It is impressive that the 10 busiest ports are located on this continent.

This dominance is no coincidence. Their port infrastructure has grown in the last few decades to satisfy the growing demand for international trade.

Which is the biggest port in the world?

The title of the biggest port is undoubtedly held by that located in Shanghai-China.

The giant port has remained at the top in terms of activity and capacity for many years.

Located on the east coast of China, along the Yangtze river, it is considered an unrivalled sea giant as regards the quantity of goods it handles.

To give you an idea, in just one year, over 42 million TEUs are managed. These are the standard containers used in cargo transport, with an external volume of 38.51 cubic meters and an internal capacity of 33 cubic meters.

The port of Shanghai is also known for its efficiency in handling a variety of goods, from manufactured goods to agricultural goods.

An interesting aspect is that it has state-of-the-art automated terminals which speed up the loading and unloading process.

The world’s main ports in 2023

The world’s most important ports are measured by the volume of goods they handle, expressed in TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). As already mentioned, it is the

equivalent of a container with an external volume of 38.51 cubic meters and an internal capacity of 33 cubic meters.

Some of the most important facilities in the world with their location are listed below:

• Port of Shanghai / China. It is a real giant, to the extent that, since 2010, it has been the most active in the world, even overtaking Singapore.

According to official data, in 2016, it managed 37 million TEUs in just 12 months, a figure which, at that time, was the highest ever recorded.

The following year, it broke its own record, and reached 40 million TEUs. And, in 2018, it passed the 42 million mark.

These figures are impressive if you consider that Shanghai is getting closer and closer to its goal of 45 million TEUs for 2040.

• Port of Singapore / Singapore. Before Shanghai became the number one port, Singapore held the top position between 2005 and 2010.

This port has an interesting history that dates back to 1819, when it was built to solve the lack of natural resources on the island and facilitate the entry of goods.

It is currently connected to over 600 ports in 123 countries and around 130,000 ships pass through its docks every year.

• Port of Shenzhen / China. It is the third largest port in the world and the second most impressive in China.

Thanks to the technological boom in the area, many well-known companies like Huawei, Tencent and SenseTime are located here, which is why it is known as China’s Silicon Valley.

• Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan / China. It is the fourth largest port in the world and the result of the merging of the ports of Zhoushan and Ningbo in 2006.

Despite handling fewer containers than Shanghai and Shenzhen, it has an older history, because it was part of the Silk Road, over 2000 years ago.

Nowadays, it is known for its impressive infrastructure, including a 250,000-ton oil terminal and a mineral loading dock of over 200,000 tons.

• Port of Guangzhou / China. It is currently developing a three-year plan to strengthen its position as an international shipping center.

The project will mean that over 660 million tons of cargo and 25.5 million TEUs in containers can be handled this 2023.

In 2020, it recorded a cargo throughput of 636 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%; whereas the volume of containers was 23.51 million TEUs, up by 33.4%.

• Port of Busan / South Korea. Leaving China for the time being, we come to Busan, which is the sixth most important port in the world.

It has managed to set its own historical record for the monthly traffic of containers in March 2023, totaling a volume of 2.05 million TEUs with an increase of 9.3 % on March 2022.

Its administrators have announced that they will be modernizing the network infrastructure in order to efficiently handle the cargo traffic and improve safety.

• Port of Hong Kong/Hong Kong. Its strategic location on the South China sea and its capacity to handle a large quantity of goods in containers make it a key center for international trade.

It has different facilities for repairs, maintenance, dry-docking and launching all kinds of vessels.

It is also known for its high efficiency in container terminals and for the flexibility of its operations, which can be carried out in terminals as well as in the bay of Hong Kong or in the river.

• Port of Qingdao / China. It was founded in 1892 and comprises four port areas: Dagang, Qianwan, Guangdong and Dongjiakou. It is considered one of the most important ports in the Western Pacific route.

With a commitment to becoming an eco-friendly, low-carbon center, it has become a pioneer in developing a solution driven by hydrogen energy to provide fuel for the equipment necessary for the working of a large port.

• Port of Tianjin / China. In 2023, its foreign trade was in excess of 498,000 million yuan (72,000 million dollars) in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 24%.

In addition, it managed over 9.12 million TEUs, which proves its capacity to manage a large amount of international trade.

Its aim is to raise its annual container throughput to over 27 million TEUs in 2027.

• Port of Jebel Ali /Arab Emirates. It holds the tenth position in the ranking of the main ports in the world.

Although its activity started in 1979, much later than other ports, it is now the largest in the Middle East and is the best artificial port.

It plays a crucial role in the region’s economy, and is a gateway for over 80 weekly sea transport services connecting over 150 ports.

An interesting fact is that over 6000 companies operate from its free trade zone. Their economic importance in the consolidation of Dubai as a logistics center should not be underestimated.

As international trade continues to expand and evolve, the ports are ready to face the challenges and play a key role in the future.

So, if you are looking for efficient and expert solutions in port management for your business, do not hesitate to contact KENSA Logistics.

We are here to offer you personalized advisory services, avant-garde technology and a team of experts with broad experience who guarantee that your goods safely reach their destination.

Shall we talk?