Imagine over 150,000 shipping containers moving through Shanghai Port daily—a volume that would tower above Mount Everest if stacked. This isn't science fiction but the daily reality at the world's busiest container port, which has just broken its own global throughput record for the 16th straight year.
Record-Breaking Performance
Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) reported handling 55.06 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, marking a 6.9% year-over-year increase. While cargo volume growth slowed to 3%, reaching 600 million tons, the Yangshan Deep-Water Port emerged as a standout performer—contributing over half of total throughput with growth exceeding 10%. Notably, Yangshan's Phase III terminal surpassed 10 million TEUs for the first time.
The Transshipment Advantage
Shanghai's true competitive edge lies in its role as a global transshipment hub. The port handled 7.9 million TEUs of transshipped cargo in 2025, up 10.6% through SIPG's innovative "water-to-water" transfer system. This method—moving cargo between ocean vessels without land transport—reduces costs and transit times while enhancing supply chain resilience.
Navigating Global Challenges
The achievement comes despite significant headwinds: geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments, extreme weather events, and seasonal cargo surges. SIPG implemented a three-pronged response strategy: deepening partnerships with shipping lines, optimizing resource allocation, and accelerating technological adoption.
Technological Transformation
Automation drives Shanghai's operational excellence. The port now features fully automated terminals, digital twin simulations for crane optimization, and AI-powered yard management systems that reduce container rehandling by 18%. Rail connectivity also reached new heights, with intermodal volumes jumping 16% to exceed 1 million TEUs.
The Competitive Landscape
While Shanghai maintains its lead, rivals are gaining ground. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port processed 43 million TEUs in 2025, while Singapore saw 8.6% growth to 44.66 million TEUs alongside a 3.5% increase in vessel tonnage. This intensifying competition underscores the need for continuous innovation in port operations.
Future Priorities
SIPG's roadmap focuses on strengthening hub resilience through infrastructure upgrades and expanded shipping networks. Key initiatives include boosting international transshipment share, enhancing coastal transport capabilities, and optimizing berthing efficiency to cement Shanghai's position as Northeast Asia's premier logistics gateway.