Top 10 Important Ports in China

Quick Overview

The 10 largest ports in mainland China handled about 256 million TEUs in 2025, supported by strong growth across the country’s container network. China’s total port container throughput reached around 354 million TEUs in 2025, confirming the country’s dominant role in global maritime logistics. Shanghai remained the world’s busiest container port, surpassing 55 million TEUs for the first time, while Ningbo-Zhoushan crossed the 40 million TEU mark and strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading cargo gateways.

1. Port of Shanghai

Shanghai remains the clear leader not only in China, but also globally. In 2025, the port handled 55.06 million TEUs, up 6.9% year over year, and retained its position as the world’s busiest container port for the 16th consecutive year. Its scale, its integration with the Yangtze River Delta, and the capacity of the Yangshan Deep-Water Port make it the main export gateway for a large share of China’s manufacturing output.

For cargo linked to eastern China, electronics, machinery, industrial goods, and high-volume exports, many companies compare how to ship containers to Shanghai before booking, especially when they need a mix of sailing frequency, scale, and global connectivity.

2. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

Ningbo-Zhoushan consolidated its position as China’s second-largest container port and one of the world’s top container gateways. In 2025, it handled 43.87 million TEUs, surpassing the 40 million TEU mark for the first time. Its total cargo throughput also exceeded 1.4 billion tonnes, reinforcing its role as the world’s leading port by total cargo volume.

Its advantage lies in deep-water access, strong capacity for mega-vessels, and a broad cargo mix that includes containers, bulk cargo, energy products, industrial goods, and manufacturing exports. For exporters with supply chains in Zhejiang and the wider Yangtze River Delta, Ningbo-Zhoushan remains one of the strongest port choices in China.

3. Port of Shenzhen

Shenzhen confirmed its position as the leading port in southern China. In 2025, it handled more than 35 million TEUs, including 33.156 million TEUs in foreign trade containers, according to the latest available ranking data. Its strength is closely linked to the Greater Bay Area, technology exports, electronics, components, eCommerce goods, and high-value manufacturing.

Because of its specialization in electronics, technology, consumer goods, and export manufacturing, many companies operating in Guangdong compare how to ship containers to Shenzhen when looking for regular sailings, access to Yantian or Shekou, and strong connections to Western markets.

4. Port of Qingdao

Qingdao has become one of the main ports in northern China and one of the most advanced container gateways in the country. In 2025, it handled around 34.2 million TEUs, up 6.3% year over year. Its role extends beyond container volume, as Qingdao is also important for industrial cargo, automotive products, machinery, chemicals, agricultural products, refrigerated cargo, and trade with South Korea and Japan.

For cargo moving through Shandong and northern China, Qingdao is often a practical choice because of its location, carrier coverage, and strong industrial hinterland. When cargo enters or leaves through Shandong, it can make sense to review ocean freight to Qingdao to compare FCL, LCL, and port routing options.

5. Port of Guangzhou

Guangzhou remained one of China’s most important ports in 2025, handling 27.68 million TEUs. When inland waterway transport is included, the figure exceeds 28 million TEUs. Its port system, especially the Nansha area, is central to the Pearl River Delta and supports cargo flows tied to consumer goods, automotive supply chains, manufacturing, eCommerce exports, and trade with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Because of its strong connection to the Greater Bay Area and inland river logistics, Guangzhou is especially relevant for supply chains that combine domestic distribution with international ocean freight. For operations in the region, businesses often compare options to ship containers to Guangzhou before choosing a terminal or carrier.

6. Port of Xingang / Tianjin

Tianjin remains the main maritime gateway for northern China and the natural port system serving Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and nearby inland industrial regions. Different statistical scopes produce different TEU figures: one 2025 ranking lists Tianjin at 20.81 million TEUs, while Xinhua reported that Tianjin Port’s container throughput surpassed 24 million TEUs in 2025.

For iContainers, the relevant English port page is Xingang, also known as Tianjin Xingang or Tianjin New Port. Xingang is part of the wider Tianjin port system and is especially important for industrial cargo, automotive supply chains, steel, machinery, chemicals, consumer goods, and cargo moving through the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic region.

7. Port of Xiamen

Xiamen remained inside mainland China’s top 10 container ports in 2025, handling 12.5077 million TEUs, up 2.06% year over year. Although its growth was more modest than faster-rising ports such as Shenzhen and Beibu Gulf, Xiamen continues to play an important role as a southeast China gateway.

Its value is not based only on annual volume. Xiamen is strategically relevant for Fujian, Taiwan Strait trade, regional Asian services, electronics, machinery, consumer goods, furniture, textiles, footwear, stone products, and general commercial freight.

8. Port of Suzhou

Suzhou strengthened its position as one of China’s most important inland and river-linked logistics hubs. In 2025, Suzhou Port handled 10.21 million TEUs, crossing the 10 million TEU threshold for the first time. That milestone is especially relevant because it shows the growing importance of inland river ports connected to China’s export and manufacturing corridors.

Its strategic value lies in its integration with Jiangsu manufacturing and the Yangtze River logistics network. For many supply chains, Suzhou is less of a globally famous seaport and more of an efficient inland logistics node that supports containerized flows from one of China’s strongest production regions.

9. Port of Beibu Gulf

Beibu Gulf was one of the strongest growth stories among China’s major ports. In 2025, it handled 10.06 million TEUs, exceeding the 10 million TEU mark for the first time. Its growth is closely linked to regional trade, Guangxi, southwest China, and stronger connections with ASEAN markets.

Its strategic relevance is not only about size. Beibu Gulf is becoming more important as part of southern China’s regional trade network, especially for flows connected to Southeast Asia, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and industrial development in western and southwestern China.

10. Port of Rizhao

Rizhao enters the updated 2025 top 10, replacing Dalian in this ranking by container throughput. In 2025, Rizhao handled 7.37 million TEUs, up 9.84% from the previous year. It is located in Shandong Province and is especially important for bulk cargo, industrial cargo, energy products, ore, crude oil, coal, grain, steel, timber, cement, containers, and general commercial freight.

Rizhao’s rise reflects the strength of Shandong’s wider port system and the growing role of industrial and bulk-oriented ports that also support containerized cargo. For shippers connected to southern Shandong, energy supply chains, grain logistics, steel production, and inland rail corridors, Rizhao can be more relevant than better-known ports depending on cargo type and final inland destination.

Why These Ports Matter for International Logistics

China’s major ports do not only concentrate container volume. They structure global trade around the country’s main production regions. Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan dominate the Yangtze River Delta; Shenzhen and Guangzhou support the export power of southern China; Qingdao, Tianjin/Xingang, and Rizhao serve northern and Shandong-linked industrial corridors; and ports such as Xiamen, Suzhou, and Beibu Gulf add depth to China’s regional and inland logistics network.

For importers and exporters, choosing the right port in China can directly affect:

• total transit time
• inland transport cost
• exposure to congestion
• availability of direct services
• ease of consolidation or deconsolidation
• total landed cost
• customs and documentation planning

When the goal is to compare specific ports before booking, the Transit Time Calculator can help assess differences between routes, port calls, and transport combinations.

Which Port Makes the Most Sense by Cargo Type?

The largest port is not always the best option. If cargo originates in eastern China, Shanghai or Ningbo-Zhoushan often have the advantage. If the origin is in Guangdong, Shenzhen or Guangzhou usually make more sense. If the cargo is connected to northern China, Qingdao or Xingang/Tianjin may be better options. If the shipment is tied to inland river networks, Suzhou can be highly efficient. If the cargo is linked to ASEAN trade or southwest China, Beibu Gulf may be more strategic. For Shandong industrial, bulk, grain, steel, or energy-related cargo, Rizhao can also be a strong fit.

Before confirming a booking, many companies also use the Freight Cost Calculator to compare how the budget changes depending on port of origin, service type, equipment, and routing.

Conclusion

Based on the latest full-year 2025 container-throughput data, the strongest ranking for mainland China is led by Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Tianjin/Xingang, Xiamen, Suzhou, Beibu Gulf, and Rizhao. Shanghai remains in a category of its own, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen strengthen the podium, and the rest of the ranking shows how deep and diversified China’s port infrastructure has become.

Dalian remains an important port for northeast China, but it is not included in this updated top 10 by 2025 container throughput. Rizhao is now the better fit for the tenth position in the updated ranking.

References

• Xinhua: China’s 2025 port cargo and container throughput data
• Upply: 2025 ranking of the world’s major container ports
• Shanghai International Port Group: Shanghai Port 2025 performance
• The Nation: China’s top 10 ports by 2025 container throughput
• Xinhua: Tianjin Port and China’s shipping resilience in 2025