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For the first time, Ningbo Zhoushan Port has overtaken Singapore Port in half-year container throughput, securing second place globally.
According to Alphaliner, Ningbo Zhoushan handled 22.9 million TEUs in the first half of 2026, an 8.8% year-on-year growth, compared to Singapore's 22.74 million TEUs. Shanghai Port remains the global leader with 28.74 million TEUs, up 6.2%. The margin between Ningbo Zhoushan and Singapore is just 158,000 TEUs, setting the stage for continued competition in the second half of 2026.
This marks a significant shift, as the top three container ports-Shanghai, Singapore, and Ningbo Zhoushan-have held stable positions for years. In 2025, Singapore handled 44.66 million TEUs, narrowly ahead of Ningbo Zhoushan's 43.87 million. However, Ningbo Zhoushan's accelerated growth, fueled by an 8.8% increase in early 2026 compared to Singapore's 4.7%, has pushed it ahead in the rankings, though full-year positions remain undecided.
Ningbo Zhoushan's rise stems from strategic infrastructure expansion and increased shipping routes. The completion of Phase Two of the Jintang Hub added five container berths, boosting its first-half throughput by 23.4%. Seventeen new international routes were launched, and key companies like Beier Container and Daxie Container grew 16.3% and 15.6%, respectively. Improved operational efficiency, with average vessel non-operational time reduced to under 80 minutes, further enhanced the port's performance.
Despite being surpassed in container volume, Singapore remains a global powerhouse with its comprehensive shipping ecosystem. It leads in transhipment, bunkering, shipping finance, and marine insurance, making its influence in global trade far broader than TEU figures alone.
Chinese ports now dominate global rankings, holding six of the top ten spots, including Shanghai, Ningbo Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Tianjin. Meanwhile, Jebel Ali Port in Dubai faced a dramatic decline, dropping from 10th to 32nd place due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with throughput falling 60%.
As Ningbo Zhoushan and Singapore compete for second place, shippers and freight forwarders should monitor volume trends and route adjustments. Additionally, the impact of geopolitical shifts on ports like Jebel Ali underscores the need for contingency planning to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news/9260900000032
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