Global Container Port Growth Shows Mixed Regional Results

By
Mfame Editor
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13

  • Djibouti and Qinzhou Lead with Over 40% Expansion.
  • Tema and Alexandria Emerge as Key African Hubs.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Dammam Posts Strong Double-Digit Growth.

Container ports around the globe had a mixed bag of results in 2024, with overall throughput rising by 8% to reach 820.6 million TEU. While some ports experienced impressive growth, others faced significant challenges due to trade disruptions and shifting cargo patterns, reports Container News.

Top 10 Ports with the Highest Growth

Several ports made headlines with remarkable gains, surpassing the 25% growth threshold and solidifying their roles in both regional and international shipping.

  1. Djibouti – 46% growth (1.3m TEU vs. 0.9m). Investments in African trade corridors fueled this impressive surge.
  2. Qinzhou, China – 45% growth (9.0m vs. 6.2m). An expanded handling capacity helped boost export flows.
  3. Dammam, Saudi Arabia – 43% growth (3.3m vs. 2.3m). Oil-related trade and regional demand drove up volumes.
  4. Tema, Ghana – 40% growth (1.7m vs. 1.2m). Major terminal upgrades transformed Tema into a West African hub.
  5. Alexandria, Egypt – 36% growth (2.2m vs. 1.6m). The port benefited from cargo movements linked to the canal.
  6. Aliaga, Turkey – 34% growth (2.1m vs. 1.6m). A boost in industrial exports helped increase throughput.
  7. Buenaventura, Colombia – 32% growth (1.4m vs. 1.1m). Trade volumes heading to Asia saw significant strengthening.
  8. St. Petersburg, Russia – 31% growth (1.4m vs. 1.0m). Rerouted domestic trade played a key role in supporting growth.
  9. Tangshan, China – 30% growth (2.7m vs. 2.1m). An increase in steel and industrial shipments contributed to the expansion.
  10. Abidjan, Ivory Coast – 29% growth (1.6m vs. 1.2m). Stronger flows of cocoa and oil enhanced performance.

Ports are Facing Challenges

While some ports are thriving, others are experiencing significant declines, primarily due to geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the supply chain.

  1. Jeddah – 33% drop (3.7m vs. 5.6m). Red Sea tensions disrupted trade.
  2. Haifa – 22% drop (1.5m vs. 1.9m). Regional instability slowed activity.
  3. Damietta – 20% drop (3.2m vs. 4.0m). Shifting traffic patterns reduced volumes.
  4. Salalah – 13% drop (3.9m vs. 4.5m). Lost share of transhipment traffic.
  5. Tacoma/Seattle – 12% drop (2.7m vs. 3.1m). US West Coast competition weighed on growth.
  6. Hong Kong – 5% drop (16.8m vs. 17.7m). Regional hubs diverted traffic.
  7. Piraeus – 6% drop (4.9m vs. 5.2m). Lost volumes to alternative European gateways.

Shifting Trade Patterns

In 2024, the overall market reached 937 million TEU, reflecting a 7% growth. Emerging ports like Djibouti and Tema are gaining importance on the global stage, while China continues to hold its dominant position. However, ongoing geopolitical issues and shifts in supply chains have highlighted the vulnerability of trade flows, prompting ports to focus on building resilience and fostering innovation.

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Source: Container News