Ports are a key part of international trade, since they work as origin, transshipment point and destination of most of the cargo that circulates around the world. Bearing in mind that about 90% of all global trade depends on maritime transport, it is clear that this activity is crucial for the development of the global economy. After a slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 the transaction of goods and services showed a substantial expansion.
Considering China’s economic relevance, it is this country’s ports that continue to dominate the world’s top 10 containers, occupying the top seven places and showing strong growth (with the exception of Hong Kong).
Find out which ports were the busiest in the world in 2022 in this publication:
Shanghai port
Since 2010 the port of Shanghai has overtaken Singapore and acquired the title of the world’s busiest port. As a crucial entry point not only for trade with China’s trade but with the rest of the world, this port has been on an astonishing growth trajectory.
Key Information 2022
- 47.3 million TEUs handled
- Ships in Porto: 2290
- Main Exports: Cars, Integrated Circuits, Computers, Telephones
- Main Imports: Processors and Controllers, Iron Ore, Gold, Cars
- Main Trading Partners: United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Germany
During the same period, Chinese ports globally handled more than 210 million of TEUs, representing an overall increase of more than 4% in container volume.
Main European Port
Rotterdam
In 11th place, handled 14.5 million of TEUs.
In Europe, still in the Top 50:
- Antwerp (13th, handled 13.5 million of TEUs)
- Hamburg (21st, overtaken by Suzhou and Laem Chabang)
- Valencia (35th, down four places)
- Piraeus (36th, also gave up four positions)
- Algeciras (42nd, dropped one place)
- Bremerhaven (43rd , retreated seven places)
Main US Ports
- Port of Los Angeles (POLA)
Handled almost 10 million of TEUs, which accounted for about 20% of all incoming cargo in the US.
- Port of New and New Jersey
Handled 9.5 million TEUs, a 27% increase compared to its 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
- Port of Long Beach (9,133,657 TEUs)
- Port of Savannah (5,892,131 TEUs)
- Port of Houston (3,974,901 TEUs)
Sources:
Transportes e Negócios. (2023). China reforça no top dos portos de contentores. Consultado a 28 de março de 2023, em: https://www.transportesenegocios.pt/china-reforca-no-top-dos-portos-de-contentores/
Gocomet. (2023). Top 15 Busiest Ports in the World – Updated list in 2023. Consultado a 28 de março de 2023, em: https://www.gocomet.com/blog/top-15-busiest-ports-in-the-world-gocomet/
ShippingWatch. (2023). Shanghai is busiest container port for 13th consecutive year. Consultado a 28 de março de 2023, em: https://shippingwatch.com/Ports/article14778401.ece
Seatrade Maritime. (2023). Shanghai retains world’s top container port crown with marginal growth. Consultado a 28 de março de 2023, em: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports/shanghai-retains-worlds-top-container-port-crown-marginal-growth
Maritime Page. (2023). Top 10 Busiest and Largest Container Ports in the US in 2023. Consultado a 29 de março de 2023, em: https://maritimepage.com/top-10-busiest-and-largest-container-ports-in-the-us/?utm_content=cmp-true Port Technology. (2023). The Top 5 ports in the United States 2022. Consultado a 29 de março, em 2023, em: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/the-top-5-ports-in-the-united-states/
