In 2025, the world's top 20 ports handled nearly 450 million TEU, with Chinese ports dominating the rankings, according to Upply Market Insights.
The world's top 20 ports handled nearly 450 million TEU in 2025, up about 5 to 6 percent from the previous year, with Chinese ports continuing to dominate, reported Paris-based Upply Market Insights.
Shanghai led the global list with more than 55 million TEU, while Ningbo-Zhoushan crossed the 40 million mark after experiencing double-digit growth. China accounted for four of the top five ports, six of the top ten, and nine of the top twenty. However, Hong Kong recorded a fourth consecutive year of decline, falling below 13 million TEU.
Asian ports made up 15 of the top 20. Ho Chi Minh is expected to enter the list after gaining two places. Malaysia's Tanjung Pelepas posted the highest growth rate among the top 20 at 14.5 percent, climbing three places thanks to its transshipment hub position.
Europe's top ten ports handled 67 million TEU, up 3.1 percent. Rotterdam and Antwerp retained their lead, while Hamburg saw strong growth in traffic with Asia. Gioia Tauro rose from eighth to sixth place with 14 percent growth, crossing four million TEU. Dunkirk surged 144 percent to 747,086 TEU, equaling its 2022 record.
US ports slowed after a rebound in 2024, with combined traffic of 51.6 million TEU, up just 0.6 percent. Los Angeles/Long Beach handled 20.1 million TEU, with Long Beach offsetting a decline at Los Angeles. New York grew exports by 6.5 percent and imports by 1.7 percent, confirming its third-place ranking. Houston broke a traffic record, while Norfolk lost ground across all segments.
China's top ten ports together handled 256 million TEU, up 7.1 percent. The Beibu Gulf port ecosystem continued its strong trajectory, rising 11.6 percent after several years of double-digit growth, driven by intra-regional flows. Shanghai alone handled more containers than the top ten US ports combined.
