Biggest Port in the World by 2025, List of Top-10

The world’s oceans have long been the lifeblood of global trade, facilitating the movement of goods and connecting nations. Ports play a crucial role in this intricate web of commerce, serving as hubs where ships load and unload cargo. As global trade continues to expand, the significance of ports becomes even more pronounced. Here, we delve into the top 10 biggest ports in the world, each a testament to the scale and complexity of maritime activities.

Which Country has the World’s Largest Shipping Ports?

In the global shipping industry, the primary metric for evaluating port size is the total number of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), a standard measurement for cargo capacity. By this measure, China stands out prominently, with four of the top five largest ports and seven of the top ten worldwide. This highlights China’s significant role as an industrial powerhouse, with its ports reflecting the vast scale of its industrial and economic activities. Essentially, China plays a major role in the global maritime trade, showcasing its dominance in the shipping sector.

World’s Largest Port

The Port of Shanghai, located on the banks of the Yangtze River in eastern China, is the largest and busiest seaport in the world. It became the world’s biggest port in 2010, overtaking Singapore, and has continued to grow ever since.

With a history of more than 180 years, the port today has 19 terminals and 125 piers. Every month, more than 2,000 container ships pass through it, showing its massive scale and efficiency. The Port of Shanghai is very important for China’s economy, handling about 26% of the country’s international trade, and serving as a key link to global markets.

Top-10 Biggest Ports in the World by 2025

Port of Shanghai, located in China with an area of 88,832 acres, holds the title of the biggest port in the world, followed by Port of Singapore, Port of Ningbo/ Ningbo-Zhoushan and Port of Shenzhen.

Here is the list of top-10 biggest ports in the world:

Biggest Ports in the World
Rank	Ports	Location	Area (in acre)
1.	Port of Shanghai	China	88,832
2.	Port of Singapore	Singapore	1,482.63
3.	Port of Ningbo/Ningbo-Zhoushan	China	1,902.71
4.	Port of Shenzhen	China	3,953 (land), 26,193 (water)
5.	Port of Guangzhou	China	1,700
6.	Port of Qingdao	China	556
7.	Port of Busan	South Korea	207.56
8.	Port of Hong Kong	S.A.R., China	689.42
9.	Port of Tianjin	China	49,421.07
10.	Port of Rotterdam	The Netherlands	31,410

World’s Biggest Port – Port of Shanghai

Location: China

Area: 88,832 acres

Opened: 1842

Tons of Freight: 47.03 million

The Port of Shanghai, the world’s largest, handled a remarkable 47.03 million TEU containers in 2021, a 3.5 million increase from the previous year. Nestled along the East China Sea, it boasts a robust transportation network encompassing the Yangtze River and coastal channels. Beyond its sheer scale, it made industry history by becoming one of the first Chinese ports to go public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2006.

World’s Second Largest Port – Port of Singapore

Location: Singapore

Area: 1,482.63 acres

Opened: 1819

Tons of Freight: 578.22 million

Ranked second globally, the Port of Singapore handled an impressive 37.49 million TEUs in 2021, with a substantial annual capacity nearing 50 million TEUs across its 53 berths. Operating from terminals in strategic locations like Tanjong Pagar, Keppel, and Jurong, it extends its influence worldwide through the PSA International port group, connecting Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Notably, it stands out as one of the world’s leading refrigerated container ports, accommodating over 12,000 reefers annually.

Third Biggest Port in the World – Port of Ningbo/ Ningbo-Zhoushan

Location: China

Area: 1,902.71 acres

Opened: 1738

Tons of Freight: 888.96 million

Ranking third globally, the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, formed after a merger, recorded a cargo volume of 31.07 million TEUs in 2021. Positioned along China’s mainland coast, it enjoys strategic access to the Silk Road Economic Belt and waterways like the Yangtze River Delta, connecting with over 600 ports in 100 countries. Renowned for handling raw materials like iron ore and crude oil, this prestigious port has earned accolades, including being listed among the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises and China’s Top Ten Influential Brands in the Port Industry.

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