Rising to the top

摘要

None of the world's top 30 container ports suffered a decline in TEU volumes last year. Predictably, given the strength of that country's exports, some of the largest gains were once again made at ports in China. An analysis by Jane RC Boyes, with statistical analysis by Jane Degerlund, chief researcher, ci-online. Hong Kong was once again the world's largest container port in 2004, having handled an estimated 21,932,000TEU. Its continued status at the top of the league owes much to the booming Pearl River Delta and the stream of exports flooding out of the region's thousands of factories. However, its nearby rival Shenzhen - comprising Chiwan, Shekou and Yantian - continues to grow at a much faster pace, adding over 3 million TEU last year. For increasing numbers of southern Chinese shippers, these gateways are now the preferred option, not least because they often work out cheaper than Hong Kong does.