
The world of international trade is a complex and fascinating one, with ports playing a crucial role in connecting countries and facilitating global commerce.
Singapore's port ranks 1st in the world by cargo tonnage, with a total of 2.8 billion metric tons of cargo handled in 2020.
The port of Singapore is a global hub, with a strategic location at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, making it a key gateway for trade between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The port's cargo tonnage is a testament to its efficiency and reliability, with a strong network of shipping lines and logistics providers catering to the needs of importers and exporters.
The top 10 busiest ports by cargo tonnage worldwide are a mix of established giants and rising stars, with each one playing a vital role in the global supply chain.
Busiest Ports by Cargo Tonnage
The busiest ports by cargo tonnage are a fascinating topic. The Shanghai Port in China tops the list, handling over 700 million tons of cargo in 2020.
Shanghai Port's massive cargo volume is due in part to its strategic location on the Yangtze River Delta, which makes it a key hub for international trade. The port's cargo tonnage has been steadily increasing over the years, with a growth rate of 7% in 2020.
The Port of Singapore is a close second, with over 630 million tons of cargo passing through its facilities in 2020. Its strong logistics infrastructure and favorable business environment make it an attractive option for shippers and cargo owners.
The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, also in China, took the third spot, with over 540 million tons of cargo handled in 2020. This port's impressive growth is largely attributed to its expanding container terminal capacity.
The Port of Guangzhou, China, ranked fourth, with over 440 million tons of cargo in 2020. Its proximity to Hong Kong and Macau makes it a vital link in the region's trade network.
The Port of Qingdao, China, took the fifth spot, with over 380 million tons of cargo in 2020. This port's strong industrial base and favorable business environment contribute to its high cargo tonnage.
Top 10 Busiest Ports
The world's busiest ports are truly incredible feats of logistics and trade.
Shanghai Port, located in China, tops the list with a massive 774 million metric tons of cargo handled in 2020.
Singapore Port is a close second, handling 564 million metric tons of cargo that same year.
Hong Kong Port is another giant, moving 55 million containers in 2020 alone.
The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is a behemoth, handling 469 million metric tons of cargo in 2020.
The Port of Shenzhen in China is a key player, with 441 million metric tons of cargo passing through it in 2020.
Busan Port in South Korea is also a major hub, moving 414 million metric tons of cargo in 2020.
The Port of Guangzhou in China is another significant player, handling 394 million metric tons of cargo in 2020.
The Port of Qingdao in China is a major oil port, with 384 million metric tons of cargo passing through it in 2020.
The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in China rounds out the top 10, with 373 million metric tons of cargo handled in 2020.
Rankings for 2018-2019
Here's a look at the top busiest ports for the 2018-2019 season.
The Port of Shanghai took the top spot with a total container volume of 40.31 million TEUs.
This was a significant increase from the previous year, with a growth rate of 4.7%.
The Port of Singapore came in second, handling 36.56 million TEUs.
The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in China took the third spot, with a total container volume of 26.09 million TEUs.
The Port of Guangzhou in China handled 24.66 million TEUs, placing it fourth.
The Port of Shenzhen in China came in fifth, with a total container volume of 23.66 million TEUs.
The Port of Busan in South Korea took the sixth spot, handling 22.24 million TEUs.
The Port of Hong Kong in China came in seventh, with a total container volume of 21.96 million TEUs.
The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands took the eighth spot, handling 14.35 million TEUs.
The Port of Qingdao in China came in ninth, with a total container volume of 13.67 million TEUs.
The Port of Dubai in the UAE took the tenth spot, handling 13.55 million TEUs.
Rankings for 2012-2017
The rankings for the busiest ports from 2012 to 2017 are a fascinating topic. Ningbo-Zhoushan in China took the top spot in 2017 with a volume of 1,077,110 kilotons.
The port's consistent growth over the years is impressive, with an increase of 155,018 kilotons from 2012 to 2017. Shanghai, also in China, came in second with a volume of 705,630 kilotons in 2017.
Singapore's port ranked third with a volume of 626,170 kilotons in 2017, a decrease of 32,787 kilotons from 2012. The top 10 busiest ports in 2017 were:
The busiest ports in 2017 were largely dominated by Chinese ports, with Singapore being the only non-Chinese port in the top 10.
Shanghai
Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the Port of Shanghai is the busiest port in the world. Its strategic location at the crossroads of the Yangtze River delta makes it perfectly positioned to serve both international sea routes and the vast inland river system of China.
The port's massive capacity is unmatched, with the world's largest container terminal, allowing it to handle a staggering volume of cargo efficiently and quickly.
Technological innovation plays a significant role in the port's operations, with state-of-the-art automation and smart technologies streamlining logistics and reducing turnaround times.
Here are some key features of the Port of Shanghai:
- Strategic Location: Situated at the crossroads of the Yangtze River delta
- Massive Capacity: World's largest container terminal
- Technological Innovation: State-of-the-art automation and smart technologies
The Port of Shanghai's continuous expansion and adoption of technological advancements have solidified its position as a global trade leader.
Singapore
Singapore is a powerhouse in the world of shipping, with the Port of Singapore being a major player. Located on the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, it's no wonder the port has become a global shipping hub.
Its strategic geographic advantage is a key factor in its success, connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The port's advanced facilities, including some of the most advanced container terminals and logistics facilities in the world, make it an attractive option for shipping companies and logistics operators.
Singapore's pro-business environment, with favorable taxation and ease of doing business, further contributes to the port's appeal. This is a major draw for businesses looking to set up shop in the area.
The Port of Singapore is the world's second-busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage. It's a testament to the port's operational efficiency and innovation, which are driving factors in its success.
Here are some key facts about the Port of Singapore:
- Strategic location on major shipping lanes connects Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Advanced container terminals and logistics facilities.
- Pro-business policies, including favorable taxation and ease of doing business.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest port in Europe, handling a massive 469.5 million tons of cargo in 2020 alone.
Located in the Netherlands, Rotterdam's strategic position on the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta makes it a vital hub for international trade.
The port's container terminal is one of the busiest in the world, with over 14 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) handled in 2020.
Tianjin
The Port of Hong Kong is a true marvel, and I'm excited to share some of its impressive features with you. It's located in a deep, natural harbor near the South China Sea, making it a vital part of the global shipping industry.
Its strategic geographic position allows it to serve as a key logistic hub, thanks to its proximity to major manufacturing zones in Southern China and along the Pearl River Delta. This makes it an essential stop for international traders.
The port boasts world-class infrastructure, with sophisticated terminal facilities that can handle enormous volumes of cargo efficiently. It's no wonder it's a popular choice for those in the shipping industry.
One of the reasons the Port of Hong Kong excels is its robust services network, offering a wide range of logistics and shipping services to meet the needs of international traders. This comprehensive approach sets it apart from other ports.
Here are some key statistics about the Port of Hong Kong:
It's worth noting that the Port of Hong Kong has held the title of the busiest global container port in the past, but that's since changed.
Busiest Ports by Region
The busiest ports by region are a crucial aspect of global trade. The Asia-Pacific region dominates this list with ports like Shanghai and Singapore handling massive cargo volumes.
Shanghai, in particular, is a behemoth, with a cargo tonnage of over 750 million tons in 2020, making it the world's busiest port.
Asia
Asia is home to some of the busiest ports in the world. The Port of Shanghai, China, is the busiest port in Asia, handling over 40 million containers in 2020.
The Port of Shanghai's massive container throughput is due in part to its strategic location on the Yangtze River, which provides a direct route to the heart of China's manufacturing industry. The port's container capacity has been steadily increasing over the years.
Singapore's Port of Singapore is another major player in Asia, handling over 36 million containers in 2020. Its container throughput has been growing steadily since 2010.
Europe
Europe is home to some of the busiest ports in the world, with many located along its extensive coastline. The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is the busiest port in Europe, handling over 460 million tons of cargo in 2020.
The Port of Rotterdam's massive container terminal, the ECT Delta Terminal, can accommodate some of the largest container ships in the world. This terminal alone has a capacity of 1.6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per year.
The Port of Rotterdam is strategically located near the North Sea, which makes it an ideal hub for cargo coming from and going to Europe, North America, and Asia.
Americas

The Americas region is home to some of the busiest ports in the world.
In the United States, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port, handling over 9.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2020.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is another major hub, ranking 2nd in the US with over 3.8 million TEUs.
The Port of Santos in Brazil is the busiest port in South America, handling over 100 million tons of cargo in 2020.
The Port of Santos is a major hub for exports of soybeans, sugar, and iron ore.
In Canada, the Port of Vancouver is the busiest port, handling over 145 million tons of cargo in 2020.
Sources
- https://www.ship-technology.com/features/the-top-10-busiest-container-ports-in-the-world/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_busiest_ports_by_cargo_tonnage
- https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/5-largest-ports-in-the-world/
- https://www.shipuniverse.com/top-20-busiest-ports-in-the-world-and-what-makes-them-successful/
- https://www.globaltrademag.com/americas-top-50-power-ports/
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