In 2005, the Port of Shanghai handled more than 443 million tonnes of cargo, exceeding that of the Port of Singapore. The rapid development of China's economy plays an important role in the port's success.

Shanghai has been the largest and busiest port in the world since 2010 when it overtook Singapore. It can handle 744 million tonnes of cargo annually. In 2020, the port's container volume reached 43.5 million TEU, setting a new record. This has helped the port maintain its title as the world's busiest container port.

Location: Shanghai

TEUs: 43.5 million

Owner: International Port Group in Shanghai (SIPG)

Locode: CNSHG

Website: https://en.portshanghai.com.cn/

The Port of Singapore is the second-largest port in the world in terms of size and transportation. In 2019, the port reached 37.2 million TEU. Ships arrive and depart Singapore ports every few minutes.

The Port of Singapore is connected to more than 600 ports in 100 countries and handles around 20% of all the world’s cargo containers and has approximately 200 sea routes. Currently, about 1000 ships can dock in this port alone.

Location: Singapore

TEUs: 37.1 million

Owner: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

Locode: SGSIN

Website: https://www.singaporepsa.com/

Formed as a collaboration between the ports of Ningbo and Zhoushan, this freight hub can handle 460 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, China Has 309 berths. It is connected to over 560 ports in 90 countries and is located on China’s busiest coastal shipping route. Its main port areas are: Ningbo Harbor, Zhoushan, Zhenhai, Beilun, Daxie, and Chaunshan.It mostly handles imports or manufactured goods and raw materials from the Americas and OceaniaHas 309 berths.

Location: Hangzhou Bay facing Jiaxing and Shanghai in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China

TEUs: 28.72m

Owner: Ningbo Zhoushan Port Co Ltd.

Locode: CNNGB

Website: http://www.nbport.com.cn/gfww/

The Port of Shenzhen is one of the biggest ports in China. The development of opportunities and technological developments in this port are some of the best in the world.

Port Of Shenzhen, China is the name of several ports along the coastline combined. Holding the headquarters of around 40 shipping companies, the port has allowed 130 international container lines to develop. The port is connected to around 300 ports in several countries.

Location: On the delta of the Pearl River in Guangdong Province, Southern China

TEUs: 26.55m

Owner: Shenzhen Government

Locode: CNSZP

Website: https://www.ufsoo.com/port/cn-shenzhen-ports.html

Guangzhou is the largest port in Southern China. It’s connected to over 300 ports in over 80 countries and has an annual cargo handling capacity of 460 million tonnes.

Location: On the intersection of the Beijiang, Xijiang, and Dongjiang rivers

TEUs: 23.19

Owner: Guangzhou Port Group Co Ltd

Locode: CNGZG

Website: https://www.gzport.com/enweb/foreground/EN/index.html?id=e5e4ecaf19b14bd798705bf1d77f286a

Busan is a major international gateway between the Pacific Ocean and Eurasian countries and the largest port in South Korea. Being the main port in Korea, it manages 81% of container cargo.

The Port of Busan has the space to process 91 million tonnes of cargo. This port is also the fifth busiest one in the world. The traffic was expected to be around 23.5 million TEU in 2020.

Location: At the mouth of the Naktong River, 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul

TEUs: 21.9 million

Owner: The Busan Port Authority (BPA)

Locode: KRPUS

Website: https://www.busanpa.com/eng/Main.do

Qingdao is located on the Twenty-First Century Maritime Silk Road and serves Shandong Province in China.

Location: Between the Bohai Rim and the Yangtze River Delta on the Yellow Sea, 664 kilometers southeast of Beijing

TEUs: 22.00m

Owner: Qingdao City Port Group

Locode: CNQDG

Website: https://www.qingdao-port.com/portal/en

Previously the world’s busiest port before the Singapore Port stole the title, the Port of Hong Kong is still situated in one of the world’s most successful facilities.

Despite the heavy competition with Shanghai, this port has displayed significant growth, housing containers worth 19.8 million TEUs in 2016. The port is one of the busiest and most productive ports in the world. The Port of Hong Kong offers natural shelter and deep waters, making it ideal for handling all types of shipping vessels.

Location: On the Kowloon Peninsula, on the coastline of the South China Sea

TEUs: 18.3 million

Owner: Hutchison Port Holdings

Locode: HKHKG

Website: https://www.mardep.gov.hk/hk/home.html

Tianjin is the biggest port in Northern China and is the nation’s largest man-made seaport, occupying a 131 square-kilometer site.

Location: 160 kilometers from Beijing in the Haihe River Estuary, west of Bohai Bay

TEUs: 17.2 million

Owner: Tianjin Port Group

Locode: CNTNG

Website: http://www.tianjinportdev.com/html/index.php

Rotterdam was the largest port in the world between 1962 and 2004. It is still the biggest port in Europe and the deepest port in Northwestern Europe.