Shipping Container Traffic by Port (2025):A Data-Rich, Story-Driven Deep Dive

In logistics, data can appear abstract; however, each container represents a unique narrative. It might carry a smartphone from Shenzhen, fresh produce bound for Berlin, or industrial components destined for Mexico. In 2024, over 183 million TEUs were processed worldwide, marking a 6 percent increase compared with 2023. These figures are essential indicators of global commerce resilience and structural complexity. Beyond raw numbers, these statistics reflect interconnected systems, policy shifts, and extensive human effort, all contributing to the reliability of delivery and the underlying stories.

Global Container Volumes: The Big Picture

The momentum in container shipping is clear:

• Global container throughput reached approximately 183.2 million TEUs in 2024, up from 172.7 million in 2023, a six percent increase.

• The top 20 container ports handled approximately 414.6 million TEUs in 2024, marking a 7.1 percent rise over the previous year.

Regional trends include:

• Asian ports dominate, with 14 of the top 20 located in the region; China alone accounts for eight—together they handle 55.6 percent of the throughput among the top 20.

• Europe is recovering, with top-10 EU ports increasing throughput by 5.7 percent in 2024 after a dip in the previous year.

• North America shows strong growth, with the top-10 U.S. ports increasing volume by 13.1 percent year-on-year; Los Angeles and Long Beach alone recorded a 19.8 percent system-wide surge.

These overall volumes provide insight into global demand dynamics, from manufacturing shifts to retail restocking, while revealing underlying economic and supply chain health indicators.

Top Ports by Container Volume (2024–2025)

The following list details the top container ports worldwide by TEU throughput:

Shanghai maintained its leadership position, surpassing 50 million TEUs in 2024.
Ningbo–Zhoushan continues to grow, supported by rapid e-commerce and export activities.
Singapore strengthened its transshipment operations, handling significant bunker fuel volumes and maintaining throughput at around 41.1 million TEUs despite congestion pressures.
Los Angeles/Long Beach recorded a notable increase in container throughput, reflecting rebounding U.S. consumer demand.
Rotterdam, Antwerp–Bruges, and Hamburg exhibited recovery and growth, reinforcing Europe's logistic resilience.

Port Congestion: Anchor Time and the Supply Chain Domino

Port congestion extends far beyond waiting ships; it has widespread logistical implications:

• In 2024, 68 percent of major global ports reported increased anchor waiting times compared with the previous year.

• Approximately 2.5 million TEUs were held at anchorage in mid‑June 2024, representing 8.4 percent of total global TEU capacity.

• Several significant ports experienced sharp increases in delays: Durban (South Africa) saw anchor times rise by 1.26 days (+75.3 percent), Santos (Brazil) by 0.85 days (+146 percent), Charleston (USA) by 0.72 days (+347 percent), Vancouver (Canada) by 0.68 days (+98 percent), and Manila (Philippines) by 0.65 days (+66 percent).

Durban experienced extreme congestion, with vessels waiting up to three days to berth, severely affecting African supply chains. Santos in Brazil and Charleston in the United States also saw significant increases in anchor delays. Manila faced challenges from local lockdowns and equipment shortages. In Greece, Piraeus experienced delays up to 4.78 days, disrupting trade flow into mainland Europe.

Extended anchor times result in scheduling disruptions, elevated freight costs—as evidenced by the Shanghai Container Freight Index doubling in mid‑2024—retailer and producer delays, and ultimately consumer impact. Such disruptions produce cascading delays across the logistics network.

Smart Ports and Digital Infrastructure: Turning Data into Speed

To alleviate congestion, many ports are implementing advanced digital technologies:

• Artificial intelligence and automation optimize berth assignments, container handling, and predictive scheduling.

• Blockchain systems streamline customs and trade documentation with enhanced transparency.

• Digital twins facilitate real-time modeling of logistics operations.

• Internet of Things sensors and automated guided vehicles improve cargo movement and safety.

Leading Port Technologies

• Singapore’s PSA employs predictive scheduling models to optimize berth utilization.

  

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• Rotterdam is deploying digital twins and robotic crane networks.

• Busan integrates AI-driven terminal operations with real-time logistics visibility.

According to UNCTAD, ports with robust digital systems report significant reductions in dwell times and improved cargo traceability. With 63 percent of global container ship calls occurring in Asia, these digital advances are especially pronounced in the region.

Enhanced speed and reliability in port operations attract higher shipping volumes, resulting in reinvestment opportunities. This feedback cycle mirrors a self-sustaining growth model, reinforcing competitiveness.

Geopolitical Disruptions and New Trade Routes: Rerouting the World

Global trade routes are changing in response to geopolitical and environmental disruptions:

• Security incidents in the Red Sea and drought at the Panama Canal led to a 50 percent drop in Suez traffic and a 32 percent drop in Panama Canal traffic during January and February 2024.

• Shipping via the Cape of Good Hope increased by 74 percent during the same period.

• Freight rates, as measured by the Shanghai Container Freight Index, more than doubled mid-2024 due to rerouted longer voyages.

Shipping lines adopted the African Cape route, adding approximately ten days to voyage times but enhancing route security. Indian and East African ports such as Mombasa and Djibouti also gained increased traffic. North American supply chains shifted toward Mexican and Canadian coastal hubs to maintain stability amid disruptions.

Although route alterations increase costs and transit times, they also create opportunities for infrastructure-rich ports to develop.

Major Port Expansion Projects: Scaling Up to Meet Demand

Several major ports are undergoing expansion to meet rising cargo demand:

Singapore’s Tuas Mega Port has processed roughly 10 million TEUs since opening in 2022 and will eventually have a capacity of 65 million TEUs by 2040. Currently, eleven berths are operational, with seven more scheduled by 2027.

Los Angeles invested $73 million in the Pier 400 on‑dock rail facility, enabling expedited inland container logistics.

Other expansion initiatives include:

These developments resemble adding lanes to a highway prior to a traffic increase, demonstrating deliberate, future-focused infrastructure planning.

Industry Consolidation: Is MSC Becoming Too Big to Dock?

The shipping industry is consolidating port assets:

MSc has acquired an 80 percent stake in CK Hutchison’s port operations, which include 43 terminals across 23 countries, giving MSC an estimated 8.3 percent share of global terminal capacity—surpassing PSA’s 7.2 percent.

Emerging Issues

• Vertical integration between shipping lines and port terminals may lead to preferential berthing arrangements.

• Regulatory bodies in Europe and China have initiated antitrust reviews.

• MSC now holds strategic influence over port access during periods of congestion.

This trend signals a shift in power dynamics, with shipping carriers increasingly dominating port infrastructure control.

Environmental and Sustainability Trends: Greening the Global Corridor

Ports are placing greater emphasis on sustainable operations:

• Low‑emission handling equipment such as electric cranes and hybrid cargo vehicles are becoming standard.

• Green shipping corridors are being collaboratively established to reduce carbon intensity throughout maritime routes.

• Singapore doubled its sales of biofuel and liquified natural gas bunker fuel to 1.34 million tonnes in 2024.

These environmentally oriented initiatives appeal to eco-conscious shippers and improve long-term operational efficiency.

Forecasted logistics trends include:

1. Continued TEU volume growth, especially in Asia and North America.

2. Increased adoption of AI-driven automation across global ports.

3. Trade route diversification to mitigate risks.

4. Emergence of regional logistics hubs supported by digital networks.

5. Universal supply chain transparency via blockchain-enabled tracking systems.

6. Acceleration of sustainability measures influenced by regulation.

7. Expanded integration between carriers and terminal operators, changing competition dynamics.

These developments reflect a broader evolution in maritime economics and logistics, aligning with emerging market realities and policy trends.

Why Container Traffic Is More Than a Number

Container traffic data conveys far more than volume—it reflects global trade, technology, environmental priorities, and geopolitics. Each metric—whether throughput, delay time, or investment level—represents a part of the global logistics narrative, shaping economies, supply chains, and policy decisions.

Understanding shipping container traffic offers critical insight into world commerce and logistics resilience. The complexity of these systems highlights the need for strategic planning and adaptive capabilities. As logistics networks evolve, recognizing these data points will be essential for navigating the shifting terrain of global trade.