The World’s Major Ports by Cargo Handling Volumes

When ranked by cargo handling volumes, the world’s major ports play significant roles in container shipping and general cargo. Below is an overview of the largest ports worldwide and their handling capacities:

1. Port of Shanghai (China)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 47 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).
• Features: As the busiest container port in the world, the Port of Shanghai plays a pivotal role as a trading hub in Asia. It leads in both cargo handling capacity and container throughput.

2. Port of Singapore (Singapore)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 37 million TEUs.
• Features: The Port of Singapore is a crucial trade and maritime center in Asia. It holds significant importance, particularly in container shipping and general cargo handling.

3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan (China)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 31 million TEUs.
• Features: One of China’s key ports, the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has substantial capacity, especially in container transportation.

4. Port of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 19 million TEUs.
• Features: The Port of Hong Kong is a major trade hub in the Asia-Pacific region, boasting a large container handling volume.

5. Port of Guangzhou (Nansha) (China)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 20 million TEUs.
• Features: Located in Southern China, the Port of Guangzhou plays a crucial role in the region’s trade activities.

6. Port of Busan (South Korea)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 21 million TEUs.
• Features: The Port of Busan is South Korea’s largest port and one of Asia’s busiest, serving as a vital maritime gateway.

7. Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 15 million TEUs.
• Features: As the largest port in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam is a key center for container and general cargo transportation.

8. Port of Antwerp (Belgium)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 12 million TEUs.
• Features: The Port of Antwerp is one of Europe’s major ports, playing a significant role in maritime and container shipping.

9. Port of Los Angeles (USA)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 10 million TEUs.
• Features: The Port of Los Angeles is the largest port in the United States and a critical trade hub on the West Coast, particularly for commerce with Asia.

10. Port of Long Beach (USA)

• Handling Volume: Approximately 9 million TEUs.
• Features: Located adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach is one of the busiest ports in the United States, with a substantial container handling volume.

These ports are key hubs in global trade, handling vast volumes of cargo and containers. Each one plays a crucial role in the global supply chain, ensuring the smooth flow of international commerce and maintaining the efficiency of worldwide trade networks.