Top 10 Busiest Ports in the World - 2023

Welcome to our blog that clarifies the world’s top ten most significant seaports in 2023. As globalization continues to shape world finances, these ports play an essential role in supporting and facilitating international trade. Our listing is based on total throughput. This ranking provides insight into the most important and busiest ports. So which are these busiest ports? What are their features? Let’s dive into the details and continue discovering more in the rest of the blog!

1- Port of Shanghai, China

Shanghai Port is an international seaport near the Yangtze River east of the People’s Republic of China. It is the world’s largest and busiest port regarding container volume and traffic. The port has been in existence for more than 180 years. It became the largest port, surpassing the port of Singapore in 2010, and has been showing an excellent upward trend since then. 26% of China’s international trade is related to this port.

19 Terminals
125 Pier
More than 2000 container ships monthly

For more details about the ports of China ➦

Who ships from/to Shanghai?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Shanghai and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

2. Port of Singapore

Singapore Port is the second busiest port, and has a significant effect on world trade. From 2005 to 2010, it was the busiest port in the world. It’s primary role is being a transit port. Nearly 80% of the transactions are carried out as transfer transactions. It is connected to 600 ports in the world. These ports cover more than 120 countries.. It has the world’s largest refrigerated container capacity.

6 main terminal ( Keppel, Tanjıng Pagar, Brani, Sembawang and Pasir Panjang)
22 container rows

Who ships from/to Singapore?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Singapore and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, China

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is located in the south of Shanghai. It’s the second largest and busiest port of China, in the ranking of the world’s top 3. This seaport is not only historically significant as the oldest port in China, but it also holds the title of the world’s largest port in terms of cargo tonnage. The port’s impressive throughput is largely driven by the transportation of essential mineral products, including a range of manufactured raw materials.

More than 160,000 container ship traffic per year
204 quay cranes and 191 berths (39 of which are deep-water berths)

Who ships from/to Ningbo-Zhoushan?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

4. Port of Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen Port is the 4th busiest port in the world and the 3rd busiest port in China, covering a large area of smaller ports along the coastline of Shenzhen City. Shenzhen Port comprises Shekou, Chiwan, Yantian, Mawan, Shayuchong, Da Chan Bay, Dongjiaotou, Fuyong, Neihe and Xiadong.

Many global transportation companies have established their own warehouses in the Shenzhen Port. It is a region with the title of China’s silicon valley, and large companies such as Tencent, Huawei, and SenseTime have their headquarters in it.

Who ships from/to Shenzhen?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Shenzhen and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

5. Port of Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou Port is located in the Pearl River Delta region. It has an important place in the volume of Chinese and world trade. There are three main ports and includes several smaller ports in its infrastructure. Guangzhou Port has quay cranes reaching up to 65 meters to serve the largest container ships in the world.

Who ships from/to Guangzhou?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Guangzhou and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

6. Port of Busan, South Korea

Busan Port has an essential place for South Korean trade, likewise for world trade. The port was established in 1876 to work between Korea – China – Japan. It consists of four small ports and two terminals. The main trading points of the port are Japan, the United States, China, and Vietnam. It receives investments and grows in line with the goals of the South Korean government. It ranks third among transit ports.

Who ships from/to Busan?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Busan and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

7. Port of Qingdao, China

Port of Qingdao is located between two metropolitan cities, Shanghai and Beijing. The city is a major factor to the economy and is the center for marine science and technology. One of the most important features of the Port of Qingdao is that it hosts the transportation of crude oil and iron ore.

4 main terminals.
96 operating berths
It is famous for its advanced technology (partly automatic) and large cranes.

Who ships from/to Qingdao?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Qingdao and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

8. Port of Hong Kong

The port of Hong Kong is the region’s first link to international shipping and trade. There are nine container terminals in this major seaport. Even if the storage and shipping processing area is small, it is quite sufficient to collect the region’s demand and connect with more than 470 ports. Hong Kong is an island country; most business activities occur through the port; we’re talking about 90% of it.

Periods between 1987 and 2004 when it was the busiest port
24 berths (8 kilometers of coastline)

Who ships from/to Hong Kong?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Hong Kong and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

9. Port of Tianjin, China

Tianjin Port is the largest and busiest port in northern China. It is the main link to Beijing, the capital of China and also one of the oldest ports in the region. It has become an important center connecting over 150 countries and other 600 ports. As a result of an accident in 2015, the expansion of the port was delayed for a while.

170 cargo berths
9 container terminals

Who ships from/to Tianjin?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Tianjin and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

10. Port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The port of Rotterdam is the largest and busiest port in Europe. It is also the only European port to enter the TOP 10 list of the busiest ports. The port of Rotterdam is famous for its sustainability efforts and trade volume. The fact that the city of Rotterdam is connected to other countries by roadway and railway makes it one of the centers of world trade. This location advantage also led the improvements and expansion in time.

Robotic cranes
Autonomous chariots

Who ships from/to Rotterdam?

Here are some popular routes from/to Port of Rotterdam and the carriers and forwarders serving between these routes.

Overall, a large part of world trade is possible with the sea routes, ports and their logistics flows. We understood the assignment and clarified what are the busiest ports in 2023. The 10 busiest ports in 2023 are the Port of Shanghai, Port of Singapore, Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Port of Shenzhen, Port of Guangzhou, Port of Busan, Port of Qingdao, Port of Hong Kong, Port of Tianjin and Port of Rotterdam.