Following a difficult few years after the Covid-19 pandemic, ports in the Far East are once again showing their resilience and continued dominance as some of the world's most important maritime hubs.This is according to the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index Report, which has named Shanghai not only the largest and busiest container port in the world but also the most connected port. In 2023, Shanghai handled a total of 49.16 million TEUs, an increase of 1.7 million TEUs or 3.6% compared to 2022 levels.Close on the heels of Shanghai is the Port of Hong Kong, which has fast established itself as a leading Asian maritime hub. The port is poised for exciting transformation, with the proposed “Gemini Cooperation” partnership between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd set to launch services in February next year. This operational collaboration covers the ocean freight network on East-West trades and is expected to reshape regional shipping patterns, which will enhance Hong Kong’s strategic importance. Overall container throughput for Hong in 2023 was 14 345 million TEUs.The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan on China’s eastern coast has more than 300 container routes, of which more than 250 are international ports, connecting more than 600 ports in more than 200 countries and regions.According to the Xinhua-Baltic report, continuous expansion and modernisation have been key to the port’s growth. In 2023, it became the third in the world, after the ports of Shanghai and Singapore, to achieve an annual container throughput above 35 million standard containers.China’s Guangzhou port, located in the Guangdong province in the south of the country, handled 25 41 million TEUs in 2023, a rise of 2% from the previous year. As it continues to improve its interconnectedness, the port has set itself the target of 27 million TEUs by 2026.In the north of China, the Port of Qingdao has established itself as another crucial maritime hub. It has maintained a strong year-on-year performance, with container volumes reaching 28.7 million TEUs, a 12.1% increase from 2022. One of the highlights last year was the addition of 30 new shipping routes, connecting the port to more than 180 ports worldwide.Another Chinese port that is making strides is Shenzhen, which saw a 4.4% increase in TEU movements last year, managing over 30 million TEUs. The port has continued to invest in infrastructure and technology as it moves to position itself as a leading Chinese hub by enhancing operational efficiency and reducing turnaround times. LV
