Global shipping ports are the lifelines of international trade. They’re where goods are loaded, unloaded, and shipped across the world. Every year, we track which ports handle the most cargo—this gives us clues about trade trends, economic activity, and even which regions are growing faster than others.
The recently released 2024 port rankings are here, and we’re breaking it down for you in a simple, easy-to-understand format.
What Is This Ranking About?
This list ranks the top 30 ports in the world based on how many containers (TEUs) they handled in 2024. TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit—a standard measure used in shipping.
The more containers a port handles, the busier and more important it is in the world of trade.
Top 5 Ports in 2024
| Rank | Port | Volume (TEUs) |
|---|
| 1 | Shanghai, China | 51.5 million |
| 2 | Singapore | 41.1 million |
| 3 | Ningbo-Zhoushan, China | 39.3 million |
| 4 | Shenzhen, China | 33.4 million |
| 5 | Qingdao, China | 30.8 million |
Insight: China continues to dominate the global shipping scene, with 4 out of the top 5 ports located there. Singapore remains a powerful hub as well, ranking 2nd.
Which Ports Grew the Fastest in 2024?
Some ports showed impressive growth compared to last year and even 2019 (pre-COVID era):
- Tanger Med (Morocco): 113% growth from 2019 – a rising star in Africa!
- Mundra (India): 13.8% growth in 2024 – India’s biggest private port is making waves.
- Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia): 16.9% growth – showing strong Southeast Asian activity.
- Cai Mep (Vietnam): 33% growth – Vietnam is becoming a key player in manufacturing and exports.
- LA/LB (USA): 19.8% growth – strong bounce-back in US port operations.
Indian Ports in the Top 30
India proudly has three ports in the global top 30 list:
| Rank | Port | Volume (2024) | Growth (24/23) |
|---|
| 23 | Mundra | 8.23 million | 13.8% |
| 26 | Nhava Sheva (JNPT) | 7.05 million | 11.0% |
| 27 | Kolkata | 7.05 million | n.a. |
What This Means for India:
Indian ports are gaining traction as key players in the global export-import game. Mundra and Nhava Sheva, in particular, are growing rapidly thanks to infrastructure upgrades, private investments, and rising export volumes.
Who Dropped or Slowed Down?
Not all ports had good news:
- Hong Kong dropped -4.9% in 2024 and -25% since 2019.
- Hamburg saw a minor 0.9% rise this year but a -15.7% decline since 2019.
- Kaohsiung (Taiwan) also saw a decline since 2019.
Why This Matters:
Trade routes are shifting. Ports in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia are on the rise, while older ports in Europe and some in East Asia are seeing reduced activity.
Final Thoughts: What Does This Mean for Exporters and Importers?
Diversification is Real: Trade isn’t just going through traditional Western ports anymore. Asia and Africa are becoming stronger.
India is Rising: With Mundra and JNPT growing year-on-year, Indian exporters are seeing faster, more efficient shipping options.
Think Global, Act Regional: Exporters should take advantage of ports closer to their production hubs to reduce logistics costs and time.
At Meraki Carriers, we help you choose the best ports for your cargo—whether you’re exporting from India or importing from Asia, Africa, or beyond.
Need guidance on shipping routes, cost optimization, or port clearances? Let’s connect.
Call us: 8122037781 / 9499020825
Email: info@merakicarriers.in
Visit: www.merakicarriers.in
