Top 10 Ports in China for Shipping Goods

Selecting the right port for shipping goods from China to Qatar (or any destination) is crucial for optimizing costs, reducing congestion, and ensuring timely deliveries. Below are the top 10 Chinese ports, each with unique advantages for international trade.

1. Shanghai Port

• Location: Mouth of the Yangtze River

• Key Facts:

  • Largest cargo throughput in the world.

  • 125 berths, 18 km berth length, and handles more than 2,000 containers monthly.

  • 2021 container productivity: 47 million TEUs.

• Major Commodities: Coal, mineral ore, petroleum, machinery, equipment.

2. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port

• Location: 250 km south of Shanghai

• Key Facts:

  • Connects to 90 countries, 560 ports.

  • 200 berths, capable of handling ships over 10,000 DWT.

  • Daily container transport: 97,000 containers (2023 data).

• Major Commodities: Iron ore, containers, crude oil, coal, liquid chemicals.

3. Shenzhen Port

• Location: Guangdong Province

• Key Facts:

  • Ranked 3rd globally by TEU.

  • 40 shipping companies, 130 international container lines, 230 shipping routes.

  • Transshipment capacity: 194.9 million tons annually.

• Major Commodities: Electronics, industrial goods, textiles, machinery.

4. Guangzhou Port

• Location: Guangdong Province

• Key Facts:

  • 5th largest container port in the world.

  • 45 berths, 2,359 1,000-ton category berths.

  • Nansha Port handles over 70% of cargo volume.

• Major Commodities: Coal, oil, grains, steel, chemicals, automobiles.

5. Hong Kong Port

• Location: Kowloon Peninsula, South China Sea

• Key Facts:

  • One of the busiest and most efficient ports globally.

  • Handles 89% of Hong Kong's freight, 400 container services weekly.

  • 9 container terminals, 24 berths, 19 million TEUs handled.

• Major Commodities: Electronics, textiles, machinery, consumer goods.

6. Qingdao Port

• Location: Shandong Province, Yellow Sea

• Key Facts:

  • One of the top 10 busiest ports.

  • Serves eastern China, linking to 130 countries and over 450 ports.

  • Handles general cargo, bulk, and project-specific cargo.

• Major Commodities: Iron ore, coal, crude oil, grains.

7. Tianjin Port

• Location: 160 km southeast of Beijing

• Key Facts:

  • Largest port in northern China.

  • 151 production berths, 31.9 km of pier beaches.

  • Handles agricultural products, automobiles, crude oil.

• Major Commodities: Crude oil, automobiles, natural gas, coal.

8. Dalian Port

• Location: Liaoning Province, Liadong Peninsula

• Key Facts:

  • Ranked 9th globally.

  • 160 km of specialized railway lines, 300,000 sq. meters of warehouses.

  • Handles bulk cargo, containers, and general goods.

• Major Commodities: Coal, crude oil, grains, steel.

9. Rizhao Port

• Location: Shandong Peninsula

• Key Facts:

  • 46 deep-water berths, covering 1,034 hectares.

  • Specializes in coal, iron ore, containers, and grains.

  • Divided into coal stations and loading/unloading areas.

• Major Commodities: Coal, iron ore, petroleum, chemicals.

10. Xiamen Port

• Location: Xiamen Island, Fujian Province

• Key Facts:

  • 5th largest container port in China.

  • Handles 74 berths, including sixth-generation container ships.

  • 2018 cargo handling: 10.7 million TEUs.

• Major Commodities: Iron, cement, fertilizers, granite, containers.

Choosing the Optimal Port

When selecting a port, consider:

• Proximity: Choose a port close to your supplier or the main production hub to minimize transportation costs.

• Port Congestion: Avoid highly congested ports during peak seasons to prevent delays.

• Shipping Routes: Ensure that the port offers direct or efficient connections to your final destination.

By strategically selecting the right port, businesses can ensure faster, more cost-effective shipping, helping them stay competitive in the global market.