First‑half 2026 volumes
Alphaliner data compiled by Port Technology shows that Ningbo‑Zhoushan processed 22.90 million TEU between January and June 2026, an increase of 8.8 per cent year on year. Singapore’s throughput for the same period was 22.74 million TEU, up 4.7 per cent, leaving a gap of roughly 160 000 TEU in favour of the Chinese complex.
Container News echoes these figures, confirming that Ningbo‑Zhoushan moved into second place behind Shanghai, which logged 28.74 million TEU in H1 2026.
Why Ningbo‑Zhoushan surged
The Maritime Executive attributes the rise to sustained efficiency drives by the Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Group and Ningbo‑Zhoushan Port Group, noting that “the port complex has continued its rapid growth.” The outlet adds that the gateway finished 2025 only about 800 000 TEU behind Singapore, making the H1 overtaking a logical continuation of that trend.
Marine Insight highlights the completion of the second phase of the Jintang container hub in July 2026. All five operational berths are now active, and Jintang added 17 international routes in the first half of the year while its own container volumes rose 23.4 per cent, bolstering the overall throughput of Ningbo‑Zhoushan.
Broader shifts in global rankings
Seatrade Maritime News reports that the reshuffle also saw Dubai’s Jebel Ali port plunge out of the top 30, a decline linked to ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The publication notes that the Middle‑East port fell from tenth place to thirty‑second after its first‑half 2025 throughput slipped to 7.77 million TEU.
While Shanghai retained its position as the world’s busiest gateway with 28.74 million TEU, Alphaliner’s latest ranking—cited by both Marine Insight and Container News—places Ningbo‑Zhoushan firmly in second place for the first half of 2026.
Implications for regional trade flows
The upward trajectory of Chinese ports is reinforced by The Maritime Executive, which observes that China now operates six of the world’s top ten container terminals. This concentration suggests a continued shift of trans‑Pacific and intra‑Asian cargoes toward Chinese hubs, potentially reshaping feeder patterns that have traditionally relied on Singapore.
Industry analysts referenced in the sources anticipate that Singapore may attempt to reclaim its position later in the year, but Alphaliner’s forecasts—summarised by Marine Insight—warn that Ningbo‑Zhoushan’s growth could decelerate, giving the Singaporean port a chance to close the gap.
What this means for operators
Ship owners and liner companies should reassess slot allocations on services calling at Ningbo‑Zhoushan, as higher utilisation may tighten berth availability and affect sailing schedules. The expansion of the Jintang hub offers additional berths and new service routes, presenting opportunities to optimise cargo flows through East‑Asia. Conversely, operators that rely heavily on Singapore’s trans‑shipment network may need to diversify routing options to mitigate potential capacity constraints as competition intensifies.
