Global container port rankings in the first half of 2025 reveal a shipping industry in flux, as geopolitical disruptions and shifting carrier strategies redraw trade flows across key hubs.
China continues to dominate the global stage, with Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Shenzhen leading throughput growth.
Shenzhen posted a double-digit increase of 10.8%, while Ningbo-Zhoushan rose 9.9%, underscoring the country’s ability to weather trade tensions. Yet Hong Kong’s 3.4% decline highlights the city’s waning role as carriers increasingly favor mainland rivals.
It seems that Chinese ports show resilience despite ongoing US-China trade tensions, rerouting strategies, and Red Sea disruptions. The surge in Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen reflects China’s ability to absorb diverted traffic from disrupted Suez traffic and maintain strong ties with Asia-Pacific markets. However, Hong Kong’s decline mirrors geopolitical isolation.
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