In 2025, China's ports saw a 9.8% rise in container throughput, reaching 350 million TEU, showcasing resilience amid global shipping challenges.
China's ports recorded strong growth in 2025, with foreign trade container throughput rising 9.8 per cent year-on-year to 350 million TEU, according to official data released by the Ministry of Transport, reports Beijing's Global Times.
Cargo volumes reached 18.34 billion tons, up 4.2 per cent, while foreign trade cargo throughput grew 4.7 per cent. Analysts said the figures highlight China's resilience in global shipping despite external pressures.
Shenzhen Port handled 33.16 million TEU of foreign trade containers, a 6.41 per cent increase, marking a record high, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported. The port operates 295 global shipping routes linking more than 300 ports in over 100 countries.
Guangzhou Port processed 696 million tons of cargo and over 28 million TEU, keeping it among the world's top six ports, Xinhua reported. Foreign trade container volumes rose nearly 20 per cent.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port remained the world's largest cargo port for the 17th year, handling 1.4 billion tons and 43 million TEU, China Media Group reported. It runs 309 container routes connecting more than 700 ports in 200 countries.
Li Changan of Beijing's University of International Business and Economics said policy support, market diversification, and strong supply chains underpinned the growth. Expanding domestic demand also helped exporters absorb shocks.
Exporters such as Zhu Qiucheng of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development reported 25 to 30 per cent growth in 2025, driven by diversification into Russia, Brazil, Africa, and Southeast Asia, alongside product innovation.
China's total goods trade hit CNY45 trillion (US$6.3 trillion) in 2025, customs data showed. Trade with Belt and Road partners reached CNY23.6 trillion, up 6.3 per cent, accounting for 51.9 per cent of the nation's total.
