PORT OF SHANGHAI
Topic: PORT OF SHANGHAI
WORLD’S COMMERCIAL HARBOURS SERIES
PORT OF SHANGHAI
China’s Gateway to Global Trade
How does a single harbour help connect businesses, factories, shipping companies and consumers across the world?
Welcome to the Port of Shanghai — one of the most important commercial shipping hubs in the global economy.
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01. PORT PROFILE
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Official Name: Port of Shanghai
Location: Shanghai, China
Region: East Asia
Coastal Waters: East China Sea
River Connection: Yangtze River
Port Operator: Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG)
Official Website: https://en.portshanghai.com.cn/
Shanghai occupies a strategic position where the Yangtze River transport network meets coastal and international shipping routes. Its road, rail and inland-waterway connections help move cargo between the port and China's extensive hinterland.
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02. SHANGHAI PORT BY THE NUMBERS
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55.06 million TEUs
Container throughput recorded in 2025.
16 consecutive years
Ranked as the world's busiest container port through 2025.
600 million tonnes
Approximate total cargo throughput recorded in 2025.
7.911 million TEUs
International transshipment volume in 2025.
These figures demonstrate the enormous scale of Shanghai's role in international shipping and cargo distribution.
Source: Shanghai International Port Group and Shanghai Municipal Government reporting.
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03. MAJOR PORT AREAS
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Yangshan Deep-Water Port
A key deep-water port area supporting large container vessels and international shipping. Yangshan is connected to the mainland by the Donghai Bridge and includes advanced automated terminal facilities.
Waigaoqiao Port Area
An important container-handling area within Shanghai's port network, supporting cargo movement and shipping operations.
Wusong Port Area
Another major port area serving container and other port-related operations.
Together, these areas contribute to Shanghai's extensive cargo-handling capacity.
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04. WHAT DOES SHANGHAI PORT HANDLE?
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The port supports several major categories of cargo and maritime activity:
Containerised goods
Manufactured products
Industrial equipment and machinery
General and bulk cargo
International transshipment
Port logistics and cargo distribution
Container ships carry goods packed into standardised containers, allowing cargo to transfer efficiently between ships, trucks, trains and inland logistics networks.
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05. SMART PORT TECHNOLOGY
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Shanghai is investing in digital and automated port operations to improve efficiency.
Automated container-handling equipment
Digital terminal operating systems
Improved truck and container coordination
Data-driven operational planning
Sea–rail intermodal transportation
Electrified equipment and greener port operations
Yangshan Phase IV is a notable example of an automated container terminal. Digital systems coordinate equipment and terminal activities, helping the port manage large cargo volumes.
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06. WHY IS SHANGHAI PORT IMPORTANT?
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For international businesses:
The port provides a major gateway for moving goods into and out of China.
For manufacturers:
Reliable cargo connections help factories distribute products to overseas markets.
For logistics companies:
The port creates demand for transportation, warehousing, freight forwarding and distribution services.
For global consumers:
The international shipping network helps products travel from manufacturers to markets worldwide.
A harbour is not simply a place where ships arrive. It is an essential link in the global supply chain.
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09. OFFICIAL PORT CONTACT
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Organisation: Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG)
Address:
International Port Building,
358 Dongdaming Road,
Hongkou District, Shanghai, China.
Telephone: +86 21 5533 3388
Email: 600018@portshanghai.com.cn
Website: https://en.portshanghai.com.cn/
Contact details are published by SIPG. For business enquiries, verify the appropriate department and contact channel through its official website.