The Top 10 Largest Ports in the World in 2024

Globally, there are more than 2,900 ports in number each spread across different regions. These ports are essential to the supply chain infrastructure ecosystem. Handling millions of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) each year, they ensure supply is maintained. They also ensure that freight, cargo, and other vital containers arrive at their designated destination. These functions are crucial for the smooth operation of logistics and manufacturing sectors. Ports are crucial in the exportation and importation of goods. This includes consumer products, raw materials, and even food which pass through various ports across the world. Of all these ports that distribute goods every day, there are those that top the chart as the top 10 largest ports in the world. These ports see non-stop traffic of commodities and are capable of handling the cargo. These ten largest ports in the world are responsible for much of the international trade happening each day.

1. Port of Shanghai-China

The port of Shanghai has ranked number one in handling the most cargo volume. The port handles approximately 47.03 million TEU containers, increasing over the years. The port of Shanghai is located on the East China Sea coast and is considered the busiest port in the world. It has a transportation network includes the Yangtze River and other coastal transport channels. The port also has access to inland rivers and nearby lake basins. Being the largest port in the world, the Shanghai port was also one of the first to go public in China. It officially entered the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2006.

2. Port of Singapore- Singapore

The port of Singapore ranks as the second busiest port in the world handling approximately 37.49 million TEUs steadily as of 2021. In 2023, it had a yearly capacity of nearly 50 million TEUs with its 53 berths. The port has terminals in various regions across Singapore. This include Pagar, Brani, Jurong, Pasir Panjang and even Tanjong. The port also has access to numerous countries and transportation networks across continents such as Asia and Europe. It has a size of 1,482.63 acres

3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan- China

Once recognized as the port of Ningbo, the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan after the merger is the third largest port in the world. In 2021, the port had a cargo volume of 31.07 million but has steadily increased over the last two years. The port is located in the middle of China’s mainland coastline and has access to the Silk Road Economic Belt. It also is facilitated by waterways such as the Yangtze River Delta. It connects to over 600 ports in 100 regions and countries across the world. This aspect makes it one of the major ports across the globe involved in global trade. The prominent port is known to import and export raw materials such as iron ore, crude oil, and coal. It has a size of 1,902.71 acres

4. Port of Shenzhen- China

Among the ports that make it to the top 10 largest ports in the world, the port of Shenzhen requires an honorable mention. The port is comprised of multiple ports and still growing and expanding. The port of Shenzhen had a cargo volume of 28.77 million TEUs in the year ending 2021. The organization handling the port is based in Shenzhen, China in the east Guangdong Province. The port is connected to many areas across China such as Dachan Bay. It also has access to cities such as Hong Kong, and Macau. In size, it covers 3,953 acres of land area and 26,193 acres of water area.

5. Port of Guangzhou- China

The ports in China dominate the top 10 largest ports in the world with the port of Guangzhou ranking at number five. The port has a cargo volume of 24.18 million TEUs yearly. It is located at the beginning of the Millennium Maritime Silk Road. It has access to the Pearl River Delta Region and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Zone. the sea and river port is known to have the largest distribution range along the coast of southern China. This alone has marked the Guangzhou port as one of the country’s most important ports in trade. It has a size of 1,700 acres.

6. Port of Qingdao- China

The port of Qingdao ranks sixth in the top 10 largest ports in the world. This is based on the fact that the port can hold and handle an immense amount of cargo traffic annually. The port has moved up the ranks, surpassing major ports like the Port of Busan. The port had a handling capacity of 23.71 million TEUs in 2021. The port has a size of 556 acres.

7. Port of Busan- South Korea

Having been surpassed by Qingdao in rankings in 2021, the port of Busan ranks seventh in the top 10 largest ports in the world. Located in Busan in South Korea, the strategic location of the port allows it to trade with 100 different countries and 500 ports. It has sister ports in Seattle and New York which add to the numbers of freight carriers it receives annually. The port handles approximately 22.71 million TEUs annually.

8. Port of Hong Kong- China

Ranking at number 8 in the top 10 largest ports in the world is the port of Hong Kong. It is one of the largest container ports in the world seeing up to 250 million cargo tonnage every year. The port also has 24 berths and typhoon shelters which make it a reputable port. It also has a deep water frontage. The port of Hong Kong is mostly known for dealing with manufactured goods. It has a size of 689.42 acres

9. Port of Tianjin- China

The Port of Tianjin is located in Northern China and serves as the access point and maritime gateway to the Chinese capital of Beijing. The port is the largest artificially made port in China. It focuses mainly on sustainability with six tenets it focuses on. One of these tenets is the prevention of oil spills and the creation of a healthy work environment. Though based in China, the organization managing the port is located in Hong Kong. It is 49,421.07 acres in size.

10. Port of Rotterdam- Netherlands

Clinching the 10^th place in the top 10 largest ports in the world and representing Europe in the list is the port of Rotterdam. Handling a sizeable 15.3 million TEUs passing through its port annually, the port is the largest in Europe. The amount of freights and TEUs the port can handle is expected to increase with the expansion anticipated this year. The container traffic going through the Netherlands port mostly consists of petrochemicals, biofuels, and vegetable oils