# Global maritime container port throughput trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-maritime-container-port-throughput-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-26T08:38:26.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Global container port activity shows divergent trends in the first half of 2026. In China, the Port of Shanghai maintained its status as the world’s busiest port, handling 28.7 million TEUs, a 6.2% increase from the previous year. Ningbo-Zhoushan rose to the second global position, overtaking Singapore, which fell to third place despite its own growth.

In contrast, container volumes in the Middle East experienced significant declines, with Dubai’s Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Seaport both seeing contractions of over 50% due to regional conflict.

In Europe, Swedish ports reported growth. Helsingborgs Hamn saw an increase in container handling and a six percent rise in total cargo handling, reaching 2.6 million tons between January and April. The Port of Gothenburg also reported strong flows, with growth driven by direct services to and from Asia and an increase in rail-connected volumes.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Shanghai remains world's busiest container port in H1 2026

Shanghai remains the world's busiest container port for H1 2026, while China's Ningbo-Zhoushan moved to second place, surpassing Singapore in global throughput rankings.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shanghai-remains-worlds-busiest-container-port-in-h1-2026

### 2026-08-26: Swedish ports report growth in container and cargo volumes

Swedish ports Helsingborgs Hamn and Gothenburg report rising container volumes and cargo growth in early 2026, driven by increased ferry traffic and direct Asian shipping routes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swedish-ports-report-growth-in-container-and-cargo-volumes

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Cite as: Global maritime container port throughput trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-maritime-container-port-throughput-trends