Let’s check out the action from the ocean on this list of the 11 busiest shipping ports around the world. As we may or may not be aware, the shipping industry is a major source for most if not all of the international products around the world. They handle the import and export of goods. Every country has its own advantages and products that are scarcely found or produced everywhere else. These shipping ports come into action with the continuous delivery of goods.
There are many factors to consider when we think of the busiest shipping ports, but for this list, we mainly look at TEUs or the total number of actual Twenty-foot Equivalent Units transported through the port. ( This is a unit that describes the capacity of container ships.) And, if you’re looking for a list tackling the size of shipping companies, then check out our list of The Ocean’s 10 Biggest Shipping Companies.
You’ll find that most of these ports come from China, being the largest manufacturer and distributor of multiple products around the world. Most of their ports are among the world’s busiest. What other countries might you guess are included in this list? Let’s find out starting from the 11th:
11. Rotterdam
The largest port in Europe and previously the busiest shipping port in the world, Rotterdam has now found itself at the entrance of the list having around 11 million TEUs annually.
10. Tianjin
The largest port in northern China, Tianjin is considered as the logistics and shipping hub north of the country. They have around 13 million TEUs annually. Tianjin is also known as the gateway to Beijing.
9. Jebel Ali
Dubai has been certainly busy the last few decades with the development and creation of a lot of unique man-made structures that are world renowned. The port itself is considered the largest man-made harbor and is also the biggest port in the Middle East. They have 13,6 million TEUs annually.
8. Guangzhou
One of the most comprehensive ports in South China, the port of Guangzhou provides access and shipping to a large part of the world. It is also the main pathway for neighboring cities in South China. Traffic here is around 15 TEUs annually.
7. Qingdao
Another port from China, this time servicing the Northeast section. The port of Qingdao is located at the Yellow Sea and has tie-ins with the busy shipping port from Busan in South Korea. They have 15.5 million TEUs annually.
6. Ningbo-Zhoushan
The busiest port in the world in terms of tonnage, the Port of Ningbo finds itself in sixth place on this list with 17 million TEUs annually. China has all of its directions covered and this port occupies the Eastern section.
As we travel the world and mostly China’s shipping ports, more are to be mentioned in the second half of this list of the 11 busiest shipping ports in the world.
5. Busan
The busy South Korean port finds itself 5th in this list with 17.6 million TEUs annually. Busan is the largest shipping port in South Korea and the city itself is the second largest metropolis next to Seoul.
4. Hong Kong
One of the busiest in the world in terms of shipping, passengers and movement. The port in Hong Kong can accommodate all types of vessels due to it being in deep water. The port has one of the highest number of manufactured products shipped daily and around 22 million TEUs annually.
3. Shenzhen
This port in the southern regions of China is one of the fastest developing ports in the world. You’ll find many international shipping companies and ships docked here. You’ll even find a lot of passenger ships and freights that have a direct line of trade from here to Hong Kong. They have around 23 million TEUs annually.
2. Singapore
The port of Singapore was originally the busiest port in the world until about 10 years ago. They ship a fifth of the world’s products and half of the world’s source of crude oil. The city itself ships a lot of natural resources from other countries as it generally lacks. They have around 32.2 million TEUs annually.
1. Shanghai
Shanghai asserts its dominance in the shipping industry being the busiest and spearheading the rest of the ports from China. They set a world record of 35 million TEUs just last year.
Whether it’s in terms of shipping traffic, number of passenger ships, ship movement or docking, these 11 rank among the busiest. They are the reason for many of the international products we enjoy today. There you have our list of the 11 busiest shipping ports in the world.
