Have you ever wondered which ports are leading the global trade game in 2024?
The world’s container ports are critical nodes in the global supply chain, driving economic growth and facilitating international trade. In 2024, the top container ports continue to showcase their strategic importance through advanced technology, infrastructure, and operational efficiency. This article delves into the current top ten ports worldwide, exploring their unique attributes, technological advancements, and the reasons behind their prominent standings. From Singapore’s consistent dominance to the rise of Chinese ports, these hubs are shaping the future of maritime logistics and global commerce.
Container ports are the lifeblood of international trade, acting as the critical juncture where goods flow between sea and land. In an increasingly interconnected world, the efficiency of these ports has a profound impact on global supply chains and economies. As of 2024, the list of the world’s top container ports is a reflection of evolving trade patterns, technological advancements, and strategic investments. Ports not only serve as gateways for goods but also as symbols of economic power and technological prowess.
Singapore, with its unparalleled strategic location and cutting-edge infrastructure, remains at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, Chinese ports such as Shanghai and Shenzhen have continued their meteoric rise, driven by massive investments and rapid expansion. Ports in Europe and North America are also making significant strides, showcasing their ability to adapt to new challenges and technologies. This article will explore the attributes that set these top ports apart and how they contribute to the global logistics network.https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/19112846/embed
The Top Container Ports in 2024
1 Yangshan, Zhejiang Province, China
The first phase of construction of Yangshan deep-water port began in 2002 to overcome physical constraints to growth at Waigaoqiao port in Shanghai, China’s commercial capital. The offshore port in Hangzhou Bay is connected to the mainland by the 32.5km long Donghai bridge and can handle the world’s largest container ships, which can hold more than 13,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Given that it is a relatively new port, Yangshan is a “very modern, purpose-built asset with a high level of automation, modern infrastructure and technology”, says Turloch Mooney, head of port analytics at SPGMI. It performs well across various CPPI metrics, including different segments of the ship call process and larger ship sizes, which carry more weight in the CPPI.
2 Salalah, Dhofar Governorate, Oman
Salalah is the largest port in Oman and has been operating since 1998. Its container terminal has six berths and an annual capacity of five million TEUs, according to port figures. It has been operated by Denmark’s APM Terminal since its establishment.
“The port of Salalah has a heavy focus on efficiency and turning vessels around as quickly as possible,” says Mr Mooney, adding that this has enabled it to perform well in the CPPI. The Salalah Free Zone is located around 5km away from the port and has attracted FDI in sectors such as renewable energy, metals and logistics.
3 Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Spanning an area of 22 hectares on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, the port of Cartagena is the best performing port across Latin America and the Caribbean. Since its operations began in 1993, its annual handling capacity has risen to five million TEUs, according to the Port of Cartagena Group.
The port also receives 98% of the cruise ships arriving into Colombia. In 2022, local logistics services firm Compas became the sole owner of the container port operator after buying out its partner Denmark’s APM Terminals. Heavy industry near to the port includes petrochemicals, fertilisers and cement manufacturing.
4 Tanger Med, Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma, Morocco
The port of Tanger Med ranks as the most competitive in Africa. In 2022, the port in northern Morocco had a nominal processing capacity of nine million TEUs, according to port figures. The CPPI shows it performs better than any other African port across different vessel sizes and call sizes, or the average volume of containers loaded and discharged on a single ship call.
“Tanger Med has a sophisticated operational management with good infrastructure and well drilled processes that reflect a deliberate focus on productivity and efficiency, and the desire for continuous improvement,” says Mr Mooney. The port is located near several free zones which feature automotive, aeronautics and other higher value-added manufacturing.
5 Tanjung Pelepas, Johor, Malaysia
Tanjung Pelepas is located in the Malaysian state of Johor, next to Singapore and the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It has 14 berths and an annual handling capacity of 12.5 million TEUs, according to port figures.
The port of Tanjung Pelepas is a joint venture between Denmark’s APM Terminals (30%) and the port and logistics division of local conglomerate MMC Corporation. In 2023, the port had the highest number of ship calls of any of the top 10 best performing ports in the CPPI. https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/19118886/embed
6 Chiwan, Guangdong Province, China
The port of Chiwan is located in the Pearl River Delta next to the tech hub of Shenzhen and the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. The CPPI shows Chiwan port jumped by 18 places between 2022 and 2023, more than any other port in the top 10, and reflective of a recovery in China after the lifting of stringent Covid-era restrictions.
While rankings show the performance of a specific port relative to other ports, Chiwan made “strong improvements” between 2022 and 2023 with “higher levels of berth productivity and reduced vessel waiting times across most call size ranges,” says Mr Mooney.
7 Cai Mep, Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu, Vietnam
The port of Cai Mep is located about 50km from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s commercial capital. It is the only terminal in the south-east Asian country capable of accommodating vessels larger than 18,000 TEUs, according to its operator Denmark’s APM Terminals.
Since being established in 2007 as a joint venture between Saigon Port (15%), Vietnam National Shipping Lines (36%) and APM Terminals (49%), Cai Mep has grown to an annual handling capacity of 2.1 million TEUs.
8 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Guangzhou is the largest coal loading and unloading port in south China, according to its operator Guangzhou Port Group. As the main port in the capital city of Guangdong province, it plays an important role in managing maritime container trade to and from the Pearl River Delta.
In 2023, the port of Guangdong ranked as the fifth-largest in China. having handled 20.78 million TEUs, an increase of 2.5% from the previous year, according to Port Technology International, a data and media company.
9 Yokohama, Kanto, Japan
The port of Yokohama is in Japan’s eponymous second-largest city with the same name. It is located to the south of Japan’s capital in Tokyo Bay and has the largest container terminal in the country.
In 2022, Yokohama port handled 2.63 million TEUs, an increase of 2% on the previous year but still below a record high of 2.74 million TEUs in 2018, according to port figures.
10 Algeciras, Andalusia, Spain
Algeciras in southern Spain is the only port in Europe to make it into the world’s 10 most competitive. Located next to the Strait of Gibraltar in the western Mediterranean, Algeciras has two container terminals operated by APM Terminals and Korea’s Hanjin Shipping.
The world’s top container ports in 2024 exemplify the dynamic nature of global trade and logistics. From Singapore’s enduring dominance to the impressive growth of Chinese and South Korean ports, these hubs are pivotal in facilitating international commerce. Each port’s unique strengths—be it advanced technology, strategic location, or infrastructure investment—contribute to their high rankings. As global trade continues to evolve, these ports will play crucial roles in shaping the future of maritime logistics.
“Ports are the gateways to global trade, and their efficiency drives economic prosperity on a worldwide scale.”
Curious about how these ports influence global trade? Dive deeper into the world of container ports and explore the factors that make them the best in the business. Share your thoughts or experiences with the top ports in the comments below!
