As global supply chains stretch and shift across regions, container ports remain the vital gateways of international trade. In 2025, the race to stay competitive in port infrastructure, throughput capacity, and turnaround efficiency has never been more intense.
For professionals involved in logistics, container handling, and industrial packaging, understanding where the busiest ports are, and why they dominate, is more than trivia. It offers real insight into global trade patterns, potential bottlenecks, and the performance of the systems your operations rely on.
In this post, we’ll explore the world’s busiest container ports, based on the latest available TEU data, and look at how this landscape is evolving.
What Makes a Port ‘Busy’?
When we talk about the busiest ports in the world, we’re referring specifically to container throughput, measured in TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). This standardised metric allows ports to be compared regardless of location or operational model.
But throughput alone doesn’t tell the full story. Some ports serve as transshipment hubs, moving containers between vessels rather than serving as points of origin or final destination. Others are deeply integrated with national or regional export economies, directly linking manufacturers to overseas buyers.
The ports below reflect a combination of scale, efficiency, and strategic location — and they play a defining role in shaping container logistics globally.
The World’s 10 Busiest Container Ports in 2025
Let’s take a closer look at the global leaders in container handling. These figures are based on the most recent full-year TEU volumes available (2023–2024), with commentary reflecting port strategies and relevance to trade and logistics professionals.
1. Port of Shanghai, China
Busiest Container Port in the World – 51.5 million TEUs
Shanghai remains firmly in the lead, and not just by scale. Its deep-water Yangshan terminal, advanced automation systems, and direct links to China’s manufacturing heartland make it an indispensable hub for container shipping. As manufacturing rebounds and export volumes rise, Shanghai continues to set the benchmark.
2. Port of Singapore, Singapore
Largest Seaport in the World – 41.1 million TEUs
Often called the world’s most efficient transshipment port, Singapore is strategically positioned on the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest maritime trade routes globally. With its Tuas Port expansion underway, Singapore is preparing for even larger vessel calls and smarter container handling.
3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, China
39.3 million TEUs
Ningbo-Zhoushan has quietly become a powerhouse, thanks to massive investments in rail connectivity and deep-sea berths. It’s a critical export outlet for East China and an emerging leader in digital port technology.
4. Port of Shenzhen, China
33.4 million TEUs
Shenzhen is a manufacturing giant, and its port reflects that role. The port’s proximity to key industrial zones in Guangdong makes it a natural choice for electronics, machinery, and industrial goods export.
5. Port of Qingdao, China
30.9 Million TEUs
Qingdao is fast becoming northern China’s logistics nerve centre. It’s also a testbed for port digitisation and smart yard management, helping reduce idle time and boost cargo velocity.
6. Port of Guangzhou, China
26.1 Million TEUs
Guangzhou’s steady rise comes from its well-developed inland connections and balanced container flows. It services both exports and domestic redistribution, giving it resilience amid changing trade conditions.
7. Port of Busan, South Korea
24.4 Million TEUs
Busan is not only South Korea’s largest port but also a significant transhipment point in Asia. Known for its efficiency and advanced facilities, it plays a crucial role in the region’s maritime trade.
8. Port of Tianjin, China
23.3 Million TEUs
Tianjin connects directly to Beijing and northern China, giving it strategic importance beyond just TEU figures. Infrastructure improvements have allowed it to absorb growing inland demand.
9. Port of Jebel Ali, UAE
15.5 Million TEUs
The Middle East’s leading container port, Jebel Ali, serves as a re-export hub for Africa, South Asia, and Europe. Its free trade zones and warehousing facilities make it an attractive option for global cargo handling.
10. Port Klang, Malaysia
14.6 Million TEUs
Port Klang’s rise reflects the shifting centre of gravity in Asian logistics. As manufacturers diversify beyond China, Malaysia is becoming an increasingly important player, and Port Klang is ready.
What These Rankings Really Tell Us
It’s easy to view this list as just a scoreboard. But behind the TEU figures lie broader global trends:
The centre of gravity remains in Asia – China dominates the top 10, with other key players in Southeast and Northeast Asia.
Transshipment vs. export focus – Ports like Singapore thrive on vessel-to-vessel transfers, while ports like Shenzhen are more directly linked to manufacturing exports.
Automation and resilience are differentiators – Top ports are investing in smart systems, environmental compliance, and better hinterland logistics.
As the global supply chain landscape changes, with trade tensions, decarbonisation efforts, and digitalisation all in motion, these ports aren’t just moving cargo. They’re setting the pace.
What This Means for Container Solutions and Logistics Providers
For those involved in bitumen transport, industrial packaging, and heavy-duty container operations, port performance matters.
Why?
Because port choice affects everything from turnaround times to container durability requirements. In congested or rapidly expanding ports, the pressure on packaging and transport infrastructure is higher, and the margin for error is lower.
When working with ports like Shanghai, Jebel Ali, or Port Klang, operators need:
Efficient storage and handling equipment that can adapt to high-throughput environments
Durable tank containers and packaging that meet strict regulatory and port handling standards
Visibility tools to navigate customs and port operations in real time
At TEC, we’ve seen firsthand how choosing the right containers for the right port environment can dramatically improve operational resilience, especially when dealing with specialist cargo like bitumen.
Rising Stars: Ports to Watch Beyond the Top 10
Not every trend is reflected in the current top 10. Several fast-developing ports are on the move:
Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia): A major competitor to Singapore, with strong Maersk links
Colombo (Sri Lanka): Key Indian Ocean transshipment point, rapidly upgrading
Santos (Brazil): Latin America’s busiest port, benefiting from agricultural exports
Rotterdam and Antwerp: Europe’s container gateways, investing in green and smart port initiatives
Monitoring these rising stars is essential for future-proofing supply chain planning, and for forecasting where new demand for container solutions will emerge.
Final Thoughts
As 2025 begins to close, global container ports are under pressure to do more, faster, and greener. The busiest ports lead not only in numbers, but in shaping how modern logistics operate.
For TEC and our customers, staying informed on port performance is part of delivering reliable, compliant, and future-ready container solutions, no matter where in the world your cargo needs to move.
Data source: Market Insights, Upply