SHANGHAI port has maintained its top position for a tenth consecutive year in the world in terms of container throughput in 2019 with a record 43
SHANGHAI port has maintained its top position for a tenth consecutive year in the world in terms of container throughput in 2019 with a record 43.3 million TEU handled, up by 3 per cent over 2018's volume of 42.01 million TEU. This is an important year for Shanghai's maritime aspirations. Back in 2008, authorities determined that by 2020 Shanghai would become a major international maritime centre. The current mayor has outlined this week further measures to bolster the city's shipping credentials, reports Singapore's Splash 247.
Shanghai's booming performance continues to overshadow Hong Kong, once the world's titleholder for container throughput. In 2006, Hong Kong's Kwai Tsing harbour handled more than 23 million TEU, but that number has been gradually slipping.
Last year, Hong Kong container volume declined 6.3 per cent to 18.36 million TEU compared to 2018.
In a year that saw the formation of the Seaport Alliance among the Kwai Tsing Terminal operators the move did apparently little to stem the fall in volumes with the Kwai Tsing Terminals handling 14.22 million TEU last year down from 15.47 million TEU. Mid-streaming volumes actually saw a marginal rise to 4.14 million TEU in 2019 from 4.12 million TEU a year earlier.
Hong Kong port has faced fierce competition from terminals in South China and container volumes have declined every year since 2011 when volumes were 24.38 million TEU, with the exception of 2017 when they moved back up to 20.77 million TEU.
The 2019 figures will see Hong Kong slipping to eighth in the global container port rankings behind Qingdao, which handled 19.2 million TEU in the first 11 months of last year, reports Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.
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