Top 10 Ports in Asia

Being the largest and most culturally diverse continent globally, Asia also drives a large percentage of the growth in international shipping. It comes as no surprise then that this continent also includes some of the world’s top ports. Out of the top 10 ports in the world, eight are located in Asia.

Here are the top 10 ports in Asia, based on size, traffic, and rank.

1. Port of Singapore

The Port of Singapore is ranked second in the world, owing to its size and traffic. In 2019, this port reached 37.2 million TEU. It is said that a ship arrives or leaves from the Singapore port every few minutes.

It is linked to hundreds of ports all over the world and has around 200 shipping lines. At a given time, there can be around 1,000 ships in that port alone.

2. Port of Shanghai

The processed cargo in Shanghai port went over 443 million tonnes in 2005, surpassing the Singapore port. The fast development of China’s economy has a significant part to play in this port’s success.

In 2020, this port achieved a container volume of 43.5m TEU, a new record. This helped the port keep its title of the busiest container port in the world.

3. Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand

Port Laem Chabang is the deep central seaport in Thailand. This port is also the fourth biggest one in South-East Asia with a yearly traffic of 8 million TEU.

It contains multiple minor ports and seven terminals, including Terminal D, the most advanced terminal in Thailand.

4. Port of Busan

Busan advertises itself as the pathway between the Pacific Ocean and Asia. Being the main port in Korea, it manages 81% of container cargo. The Port of Busan has the space to process 91 million tonnes of cargo.

This port is also the fifth busiest one in the world. The traffic was expected to be around 23.5 million TEU in 2020.

5. Port of Hong Kong

Previously the world’s busiest port before the Singapore Port stole the title, the Port of Hong Kong is still situated in one of the world’s most successful facilities.

Despite the heavy competition with Shanghai, this port has displayed significant growth, housing containers worth 19.8 million TEUs in 2016. The port is one of the busiest and most productive ports in the world.

6. Port Kelang

Being Malaysia’s main ocean hub, Port Kelang is also ranked 14th in the world. A railway serving Kuala Lumpur is also connected to this port, benefitting the trade. In 2018, Port Kelang’s traffic reached 12.3 million TEU. This port is also the second biggest port in South-East Asia.

7. Port of Tokyo

Located in an area with concentrated economic growth and a population of 40 million, this port is ranked 14th in the world. In 2005, this port generated an output of 3,594,000 TEUs, a record sum.

The Port of Tokyo is described as having the ability to house the biggest vessels. The berths at the oil container terminal have a large capacity.

8. Jawaharlal Nehru Port

The largest container port in India, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, handles most of the containerized trade in India. The port borders the Arabian Sea and is connected to major highways and railways in India. Between 2018 and 2019, the port’s container volume was 5.05 million TEU.

9. Port of Tanjung Palapas, Malaysia

Port of Tanjung Palapas is the third biggest port in South-East Asia and part of the 20 biggest ports in the world. The yearly traffic in this port is around 12 million TEU.

This port is different because it is ahead of most ports in Asia in terms of technological developments. In July 2019, it broke the vessel utilization record for the third time in a row.

10. The Port of Shenzhen

The Port of Shenzhen is one of the biggest ports in China. The development of opportunities and technological developments in this port are some of the best in the world.

This port is the name of several ports along the coastline combined. Holding the headquarters of around 40 shipping companies, the port has allowed 130 international container lines to develop.

The port is connected to around 300 ports in several countries. In 2018, it was ranked the third-largest container port in the world with a throughput of 27.7 million TEUs.