Ningbo-Zhoushan takes second spot in global container rankings

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port ranked as the world’s second-busiest container port during the first half of 2026, moving ahead of Singapore, according to data from shipping analyst Alphaliner.

Ningbo-Zhoushan takes second spot in global container rankings

The Chinese gateway handled 22.90 million TEUs between January and June, representing an increase of 8.8 per cent year-on-year.

Singapore recorded 22.74 million TEUs over the same period, up 4.7 per cent, leaving Ningbo-Zhoushan around 160,000 TEUs ahead in the H1 rankings.

Shanghai remained the world’s largest container port, with throughput of 28.74 million TEUs, an increase of 6.2 per cent compared with the first half of 2025.

Official data from Zhejiang had already indicated strong container growth at Ningbo-Zhoushan earlier in the year. The port handled approximately 7.99 million TEUs during January and February, up 19.8 per cent year-on-year.

That put throughput around 680,000 TEUs above Singapore during the two-month period and placed Ningbo-Zhoushan behind only Shanghai.

The port’s container network comprises more than 300 shipping routes connecting over 700 ports in more than 200 countries and regions, according to Zhejiang government figures.

Individual terminals have also reported double-digit growth during 2026.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port said Beilun Second Container Terminal handled 2.25 million TEUs between January and July, an increase of 16.3 per cent year-on-year.

Daxie Container Terminal recorded 2.17 million TEUs over the same period, representing growth of 15.6 per cent.

Additional quay capacity has also been brought into operation at Daxie. A new 300-metre section has increased the terminal’s continuous deep-water quay length to 1,800 metres.

The terminal has also expanded empty-container storage, added container-handling equipment and continued remote-control upgrades.

Ningbo-Zhoushan reported that average berth productivity across its container services in July improved by 3.8 per cent compared with the 2025 average.

The port also reduced average vessel non-operating time to less than 80 minutes during the month.