The volume of global eCommerce can be measured in many ways: annual revenue, units sold, number of purchases, and so forth. However, one of the most relevant metrics relates to transportation. At present, goods are transferred from factories to the final consumer through various modes of transportation. One of the most representative within the commercial chain is the container ship—whose fascinating history we have detailed in another article.
Below, we present a ranking of the most important international ports for goods trade, organized according to the volume of containers they manage annually. Six are Chinese, nine are Asian, and only one is European.
These are the 10 most important container ports in the world (2024 data):
The undisputed leader in global volume, with more than 51 million TEU (20-foot containers) managed in 2024.
The Port of Shanghai is not only the largest in the world, but also the heart of global maritime trade. With more than 125 berths and state-of-the-art terminals, it handles approximately 20% of Chinese maritime traffic. The Yangshan terminal, built on artificial islands and connected by a 32-kilometer bridge, is among the most automated terminals worldwide.
In addition to its size, it is distinguished by its efficiency: it features automated cranes, intelligent management systems, and intermodal logistics zones that allow containers to be transferred swiftly to trains and trucks. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Yangtze River makes it an essential exit point for millions of manufactured products.
Holding the second global position and serving as a primary transshipment hub, it connects more than 600 ports in 123 countries. Its new facilities at the Tuas terminal are designed to reach 65 million TEU annually once the ongoing construction is completed, which is expected to conclude by 2040.
The port is recognized for its rapid cargo operations, advanced digital management systems, and extensive use of automation and drones for inspection and security. Its strategic position in the Strait of Malacca enables it to serve as a junction for trade routes between Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Located in Zhejiang Province, this port results from the merger of Ningbo and Zhoushan, together forming one of the largest port complexes in the world. With more than 191 berths, 39 of which are designed for large vessels, it is a crucial hub for the export of machinery, textiles, and electronic components. It is among those that experienced the greatest capacity growth in the past year (11.33%)
In recent years, it has invested in automation technology and terminal expansion, becoming a key link in the flow of goods between eastern China and major global markets. Additionally, it features rail connections that directly integrate it with China’s overland transportation network.
Situated on the southern coast of mainland China, this port encompasses several terminals along the Pearl River Delta. It grew by 11.8% in 2024 and maintains more than 130 international shipping lines operating from there.
It plays a pivotal role in the export of electronic products, automotive parts, and fast-moving manufactured goods.
With sustained growth of 7.3%, Qingdao has established itself as the fifth most active port in the world, moving nearly 30.9 million TEU. Furthermore, it has implemented an innovative suspended monorail system to move containers, thereby reducing both logistical impact and emissions.
This port, while more modest than the previous ones, remains among the most active with over 26 million TEU handled in 2024. Its growth rate of nearly 4% reflects its ongoing role within the Chinese port system.
It plays a significant role in the trade of southern China, between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.
The busiest port outside of China on the list, with 24.4 million TEU and a growth of 5.4% compared to the previous year.
It is pivotal for South Korean exports of automobiles, semiconductors, and electronics. It serves as a major regional node in transboundary trade with Japan, China, and the United States.
Consolidated as the eighth largest globally with over 23.3 million TEU, Tianjin grew by nearly 5% in 2024.
It functions as the main entry point to Beijing and northern China, with multimodal connections that include trains and trucks.
The only Middle Eastern port in the top 10, with a volume of 15.5 million TEU and growth exceeding 7%.
Essential for logistics chains interconnecting Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, thanks to its deep waters and capability to berth ultra-large vessels.
This Malaysian port completes the top 10, having moved nearly 14.6 million containers and reflecting a growth of 4.2%. It is an important transshipment hub in Southeast Asia, serving regional trade and maintaining direct connections to major hubs in China and Singapore.
Beyond the capacity and annual container volume a port handles, there are additional variables that grant it significance in international trade:
This ranking reveals how global commerce is highly concentrated in Asia—and particularly in China, which dominates six of the ten busiest ports on the planet. Only one is European, and none from the United States appear in the individual top 10, although there are combined representations in the broader global ranking.
For the world of eCommerce and digital marketing, understanding these routes is critical, as many logistical operations and transport-related delays ultimately affect the final consumer awaiting their order. Knowing the path goods take, possible bottlenecks, and how these major ports operate gives you a direct connection to how your product reaches your customer and the implications this has on timing, costs, or stock availability.
Photo: Canva
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