On Sunday, Shanghai Port became the first port globally to surpass an annual container throughput of 50 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
For 14 consecutive years, Shanghai Port has maintained its position as the world leader in annual container throughput.
Yang Yanbin, deputy general manager of the production and business department of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd (SIPG), explained that the growth in container throughput reflects China’s advanced industrial system and manufacturing strength, which continue to drive global trade.
Shanghai Port, regarded as a symbol of China’s openness and international collaboration, reached its first million TEUs in 1994, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Yang also pointed out that the increase in container throughput at Shanghai Port is attributed to a rise in export-heavy containers, as well as more international transfer containers and ship-to-ship transfers.
“The port’s strong capabilities and superior services attract large vessels from all over the world,” Yang added, mentioning that ship-to-ship transfers at the port are expected to hit a record 60 percent in 2024, underscoring Shanghai Port’s growing role as a global hub.
Currently, Shanghai Port is connected to nearly 350 international shipping routes, reaching over 700 ports in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide.
The progress of Shanghai Port mirrors the overall transformation of the city itself.
Shanghai has again secured third place in the 2024 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index, reinforcing its significance as a leading international shipping center.
According to Shanghai Customs, the port handles an average daily import and export value of 29.8 billion yuan (approximately 4 billion U.S. dollars), equating to around 1.24 billion yuan per hour.
Recent advances in technology have significantly boosted the efficiency of Shanghai Port’s terminal operations.
The Yangshan phase IV automated terminal, which began operations in 2017, was pivotal in helping Shanghai Port exceed 40 million TEUs that year. The terminal reduced the workforce by 70% while increasing efficiency by 30%, and per capita labor productivity reached 213% of that at traditional terminals.
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