China’s Two Major Ports Set New Container Throughput Record: Over 90 Million TEUs in 11 Months

Despite global trade policy fluctuations and supply chain disruptions in 2025, China’s container trade has continued to grow robustly. Two major port clusters—Shanghai Port and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port—have collectively handled more than 90 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first 11 months of the year, setting a new historical record.

Shanghai Port: Tops Global Ranking for 16 Consecutive Years, Efficiency Keeps Rising

As of November 26, Shanghai Port’s annual container throughput exceeded 50 million TEUs, reaching this milestone one month earlier than in 2024.

This marks the second consecutive year that the port has surpassed 50 million TEUs. Its monthly average throughput in 2025 has exceeded 4 million TEUs, and the annual total is projected to surpass last year’s 51.5 million TEUs.

The port is transitioning toward systematic and intelligent operations, leveraging technologies such as AI-based planning and digital twin systems to enable synchronized, port-wide coordination and higher operational efficiency.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port: Growth Accelerates, Surpasses 40 Million TEUs for the First Time

On December 2, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port’s annual container throughput broke the 40 million TEU mark for the first time (compared to 39.3 million TEUs in 2024).

Growth pace has consistently accelerated: it took 7 years to grow from 10 million to 20 million TEUs, 6 years from 20 million to 30 million TEUs, and only 4 years from 30 million to 40 million TEUs.

The port has maintained an annual cargo throughput of over 1 billion metric tons for 16 consecutive years. It now operates more than 210 berths of 10,000-ton class or above and connects with over 600 ports in 200 countries through more than 300 shipping routes.