Top Ports in China for International Container Shipping

China hosts some of the busiest and most advanced ports in the world. As global trade patterns evolve, these facilities adapt fast to meet growing capacity, environmental demands, and rising efficiency expectations. For companies involved in ocean freight shipping in China, choosing the right port influences speed, cost, and reliability. This article overviews the top ports in China for international container shipping, highlights what each port offers, and discusses how container shipping services in China compare. We’ll also touch on the role of ocean cargo shipping in China in the global supply chain.

China’s Port Landscape: Key Statistics & Trends

Before listing individual ports, some recent data underscores China’s dominance:

• In early 2025, Chinese ports handled over 112.25 million TEUs in container traffic in just January-April.

• Total cargo throughput (all goods) rose as well, showing strength in both containerized and bulk shipments.

• Major ports continue expanding inland linkages and build automation and green energy systems to reduce emissions.

What Makes a Port “Top” for Container Shipping

A port achieves top status when it combines:

• Very high TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) throughput

• Deep-water berths that handle large mother ships

• Efficient terminals, modern cranes, automation, and good customs handling

• Excellent connectivity (rail, road, inland waterways)

• Ability to support ocean freight shipping in China with reliability and low delays

Top Ports in China

Here are several ports that stand out for international container shipping, along with their strengths.

1. Port of Shanghai

Shanghai remains the world’s busiest container port. In H1 2025, the Port of Shanghai handled ~27.06 million TEUs, the highest among all Chinese ports.

Key features:

• Yangshan Terminal offering deep water berths, allowing large vessels

• Highly automated operations, including automated container handling, advanced yard management systems

• Strong international and Asia-Europe shipping connections

• Innovation in green shipping—shore power, cleaner fuel use, and environmental improvements

2. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

Ningbo-Zhoushan ranks as another powerhouse. It handled over 21 million TEUs in the first half of 2025.

Strengths include:

• Excellent integration of sea-river transport and multimodal logistics

• Investment in environmentally friendly equipment, shore power, and efficient load/unload systems

• Strong hinterland access, enabling goods to flow to inland regions efficiently

3. Port of Shenzhen

Shenzhen Port, in Guangdong province, remains a hub for high-value exports, such as electronics and tech components. It recorded ~17.2 million TEUs in H1 2025.

Highlights:

• Clusters like Yantian, Chiwan, Shekou provide diversified terminal capabilities

• Rapid adoption of new ocean cargo shipping in China practices—green terminal equipment, route optimization, improved customs processing

• Strong growth in export volumes especially to North America and Europe

4. Port of Qingdao

Qingdao, located in Shandong, is important for northern China’s exports. It processed ~16.38 million TEUs in H1 2025.

Attributes:

• High terminal efficiencies; cranes and automated operations improved handling per hour per crane.

• Strategic routes to Northeast Asia, Pacific, also supporting international container shipping services in China

5. Port of Guangzhou

Port of Guangzhou, especially the Nansha area, is growing fast. It processed ~13.64 million TEUs in H1 2025.

Strengths:

• Proximity to large manufacturing bases in southern China

• Infrastructure investment: new terminals, better rail and road access, and environmental upgrades

• Increasing number of international shipping lines selecting Guangzhou for departures, due to lower congestion and favorable schedules

Emerging & Supporting Port Players

Besides the top five, some other ports are gaining importance regionally or in niche segments:

• Inland ports and river port clusters along the Yangtze River are seeing strong growth in container and bulk cargo traffic.

• Coastal ports in less developed provinces are investing in join-ups with rail, upgrading terminals to relieve pressure on major hubs.

How Ports Support Ocean Freight Shipping and Container Services

Ocean freight shipping depends heavily on ports that can handle high volumes efficiently and reliably. The top ports listed provide:

• Direct routes across oceans to Europe, South America, Africa, and North America

• Container shipping services in China that offer regular schedules, various vessel sizes, and competitive rates

• Efficient customs and export handling that reduce wait times and lower overall cost per container

• Support for large-scale export industries—electronics, textiles, machinery, etc.—by providing fast turnaround

Challenges and What to Watch

Even the top Chinese ports face challenges:

• Congestion & Delays: During peak seasons or when exporting quotas and tariffs loom, congestion at terminals or dwell time at customs increases.

• Environmental Regulations: China is pushing emission regulations and stricter environmental requirements for ports and shipping lines. Ports must invest in cleaner equipment, shore power, and pollution control.

• Capacity vs. Demand: Some ports are already near capacity; further expansion is costly and requires regulatory approvals, land, and investment.

• Geopolitical & Trade Shifts: Tariffs, trade agreements, changing supply chains (e.g., diversifying manufacturing away from China) could shift shipping patterns.

Future Trends among China’s Ports

These trends can shape which ports will lead going forward:

• More automation (robotic cranes, automated guided vehicles) to reduce labor constraints and speed up handling

• Green port initiatives: electric equipment, low-carbon fuels, shore power, clean energy integration

• Expansion of inland and river ports to unload pressure on coastal mega-ports, improving accessibility to western and central China

• Increased collaboration between ports and shipping lines to optimize container slot utilization, scheduling, and supply chain visibility

Summary

China’s port system continues to dominate global international container shipping. Ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Guangzhou lead by offering high container throughput, modern infrastructure, deep-water capacity, and high reliability. For businesses using ocean freight shipping in China, these ports deliver vital gateways. As container shipping services in China evolve, ports must adapt to rising demand, regulatory pressures, and environmental expectations. The future will reward those ports that combine capacity, sustainability, and efficient operations.