Container Port Traffic Volume 2016

Container Port Traffic Volume measures the total container throughput in TEUs at major ports in a given country.

164 data points••Global Coverage•Container port traffic (TEU: 20 foot equivalent units) | Data•

Interactive Map

Loading interactive map...

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
China flag
China
202,830,580 TEUs
2
United States flag
United States
46,940,227 TEUs
3
Singapore flag
Singapore
30,903,600 TEUs
4
South Korea flag
South Korea
25,945,418 TEUs
5
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
24,569,452 TEUs
6
Japan flag
Japan
21,678,076 TEUs
7
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
20,652,200 TEUs
8
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
19,580,000 TEUs
9
Germany flag
Germany
15,126,366 TEUs
10
Spain flag
Spain
15,073,218 TEUs
11
India flag
India
13,724,110 TEUs
12
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
12,612,142 TEUs
13
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
11,282,230 TEUs
14
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
10,608,853 TEUs
15
Italy flag
Italy
10,589,293 TEUs
16
Belgium flag
Belgium
10,321,506 TEUs
17
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
10,200,229 TEUs
18
Thailand flag
Thailand
9,340,560 TEUs
19
Brazil flag
Brazil
8,804,079 TEUs
20
Turkey flag
Turkey
8,760,769 TEUs
21
Australia flag
Australia
7,830,344 TEUs
22
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
7,683,202 TEUs
23
Philippines flag
Philippines
7,560,607 TEUs
24
Panama flag
Panama
6,261,878 TEUs
25
Egypt flag
Egypt
5,887,541 TEUs
26
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
5,734,000 TEUs
27
Canada flag
Canada
5,727,822 TEUs
28
Mexico flag
Mexico
5,678,854 TEUs
29
France flag
France
4,471,870 TEUs
30
South Africa flag
South Africa
4,354,666 TEUs
31
Chile flag
Chile
4,170,283 TEUs
32
Morocco flag
Morocco
4,106,683 TEUs
33
Greece flag
Greece
4,088,425 TEUs
34
Oman flag
Oman
3,943,846 TEUs
35
Russia flag
Russia
3,472,382 TEUs
36
Colombia flag
Colombia
3,452,348 TEUs
37
Malta flag
Malta
3,151,939 TEUs
38
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
3,074,000 TEUs
39
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
3,000,696 TEUs
40
Portugal flag
Portugal
2,912,946 TEUs
41
Israel flag
Israel
2,711,000 TEUs
42
Iran flag
Iran
2,462,028 TEUs
43
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2,387,953 TEUs
44
Peru flag
Peru
2,321,062 TEUs
45
Poland flag
Poland
2,032,761 TEUs
46
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1,907,090 TEUs
47
Algeria flag
Algeria
1,831,056 TEUs
48
Argentina flag
Argentina
1,713,267 TEUs
49
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
1,567,442 TEUs
50
Sweden flag
Sweden
1,509,886 TEUs
51
Finland flag
Finland
1,509,479 TEUs
52
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
1,486,227 TEUs
53
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
1,470,101 TEUs
54
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
1,338,979 TEUs
55
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
1,272,000 TEUs
56
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
1,261,778 TEUs
57
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
1,210,500 TEUs
58
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
1,147,219 TEUs
59
Kenya flag
Kenya
1,091,000 TEUs
60
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1,026,216 TEUs
61
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
987,400 TEUs
62
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
944,432 TEUs
63
Ghana flag
Ghana
942,463 TEUs
64
Ireland flag
Ireland
916,833 TEUs
65
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
888,119 TEUs
66
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
885,750 TEUs
67
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
844,000 TEUs
68
Togo flag
Togo
821,639 TEUs
69
Jordan flag
Jordan
792,841 TEUs
70
Honduras flag
Honduras
756,641 TEUs
71
Norway flag
Norway
716,916 TEUs
72
Denmark flag
Denmark
715,076 TEUs
73
Romania flag
Romania
711,339 TEUs
74
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
680,623 TEUs
75
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
630,290 TEUs
76
Angola flag
Angola
572,298 TEUs
77
Congo flag
Congo
562,889 TEUs
78
Senegal flag
Senegal
540,000 TEUs
79
Qatar flag
Qatar
527,952 TEUs
80
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
489,670 TEUs
81
Sudan flag
Sudan
465,355 TEUs
82
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
443,000 TEUs
83
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
427,427 TEUs
84
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
424,602 TEUs
85
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
400,962 TEUs
86
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
400,187 TEUs
87
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
388,514 TEUs
88
Latvia flag
Latvia
388,260 TEUs
89
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
370,000 TEUs
90
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
360,841 TEUs
91
Cuba flag
Cuba
325,319 TEUs
92
Benin flag
Benin
310,500 TEUs
93
Iceland flag
Iceland
308,660 TEUs
94
Austria flag
Austria
285,900 TEUs
95
Yemen flag
Yemen
268,208 TEUs
96
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
253,415 TEUs
97
Georgia flag
Georgia
251,011 TEUs
98
Croatia flag
Croatia
246,596 TEUs
99
Fiji flag
Fiji
244,524.4 TEUs
100
Iraq flag
Iraq
220,859.7 TEUs
101
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
206,111 TEUs
102
Estonia flag
Estonia
204,177 TEUs
103
Namibia flag
Namibia
203,071 TEUs
104
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
202,165 TEUs
105
Guam flag
Guam
198,209 TEUs
106
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
181,636.1 TEUs
107
Haiti flag
Haiti
176,879 TEUs
108
Guinea flag
Guinea
176,167 TEUs
109
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
156,900 TEUs
110
Gabon flag
Gabon
146,000 TEUs
111
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
138,850 TEUs
112
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
132,214.6 TEUs
113
Libya flag
Libya
124,050 TEUs
114
Albania flag
Albania
118,829 TEUs
115
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
115,886.9 TEUs
116
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
114,498 TEUs
117
Liberia flag
Liberia
112,500 TEUs
118
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
108,500 TEUs
119
Barbados flag
Barbados
105,321 TEUs
120
Somalia flag
Somalia
104,800.4 TEUs
121
Suriname flag
Suriname
98,652 TEUs
122
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
98,606 TEUs
123
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
98,278 TEUs
124
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
97,991 TEUs
125
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
89,063 TEUs
126
Tonga flag
Tonga
84,702.43 TEUs
127
Maldives flag
Maldives
81,744 TEUs
128
Comoros flag
Comoros
73,309.69 TEUs
129
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
72,523 TEUs
130
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
67,523.29 TEUs
131
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
65,970 TEUs
132
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
62,112 TEUs
133
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
60,718 TEUs
134
Gambia flag
Gambia
60,000 TEUs
135
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
59,133 TEUs
136
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
52,542.78 TEUs
137
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
51,613.32 TEUs
138
Guyana flag
Guyana
50,476 TEUs
139
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
49,177 TEUs
140
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
49,005.46 TEUs
141
Belize flag
Belize
46,040 TEUs
142
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
44,989.51 TEUs
143
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
38,430 TEUs
144
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
38,383 TEUs
145
Samoa flag
Samoa
34,588 TEUs
146
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
33,520.26 TEUs
147
Aruba flag
Aruba
31,323 TEUs
148
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
30,211 TEUs
149
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
26,382.34 TEUs
150
Palau flag
Palau
22,490.03 TEUs
151
Grenada flag
Grenada
19,634 TEUs
152
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
18,621.03 TEUs
153
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
18,236 TEUs
154
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
16,193 TEUs
155
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
15,844.34 TEUs
156
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
14,281 TEUs
157
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
13,216 TEUs
158
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
12,551.97 TEUs
159
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
9,814.813 TEUs
160
Greenland flag
Greenland
8,631.709 TEUs
161
Dominica flag
Dominica
7,361 TEUs
162
Nauru flag
Nauru
7,032.956 TEUs
163
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
4,437.324 TEUs
164
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
735.014 TEUs

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1China flagChina
  2. #2United States flagUnited States
  3. #3Singapore flagSingapore
  4. #4South Korea flagSouth Korea
  5. #5Malaysia flagMalaysia
  6. #6Japan flagJapan
  7. #7United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates
  8. #8China, Hong Kong SAR flagChina, Hong Kong SAR
  9. #9Germany flagGermany
  10. #10Spain flagSpain

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #164Republic of Moldova flagRepublic of Moldova
  2. #163Bermuda flagBermuda
  3. #162Nauru flagNauru
  4. #161Dominica flagDominica
  5. #160Greenland flagGreenland
  6. #159Micronesia (Fed. States of) flagMicronesia (Fed. States of)
  7. #158Eritrea flagEritrea
  8. #157Saint Kitts and Nevis flagSaint Kitts and Nevis
  9. #156Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea
  10. #155Tuvalu flagTuvalu

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2016, China led the world in Container Port Traffic Volume with an astounding 202,830,580 TEUs, showcasing the nation’s pivotal role in global trade. The global range for this metric spanned from 735.01 TEUs to this peak value, highlighting significant disparities across countries. The average volume was 4,183,161.27 TEUs, while the median stood at 443,000 TEUs, indicating a skewed distribution where a few countries dominate the container shipping landscape.

Economic Powerhouses and Their Port Capacities

The sheer volume of Container Port Traffic in leading countries like China, the United States with 46,940,227 TEUs, and Singapore with 30,903,600 TEUs underscores their roles as global economic powerhouses. These nations leverage their robust industrial bases and strategic geographic locations to facilitate international trade. For instance, China’s extensive manufacturing sector and its Belt and Road Initiative have bolstered its port traffic, making it a central hub in global supply chains. Meanwhile, the United States benefits from its vast consumer market and diverse economic activities, driving substantial container throughput.

Geographic and Strategic Significance

Countries like Singapore and South Korea, with respective volumes of 30,903,600 TEUs and 25,945,418 TEUs, exemplify the importance of strategic geographic positioning. Singapore serves as a critical transshipment hub, positioned at the crossroads of major shipping routes connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Similarly, South Korea benefits from its proximity to major Asian markets and its advanced port infrastructure. These nations have capitalized on their locations to develop efficient port operations that facilitate high volumes of container traffic.

Challenges in Smaller Economies

On the opposite end of the spectrum, countries such as the Republic of Moldova and Bermuda, with 735.01 TEUs and 4,437.324 TEUs respectively, face challenges due to limited port capacities and smaller economic scales. These nations often lack the infrastructure and market size to support significant port traffic, which in turn limits their participation in global trade. Their geographic isolation or landlocked status further complicates efforts to increase container throughput.

Year-over-Year Changes and Trends

Analyzing year-over-year changes, China saw the largest absolute increase in port traffic, adding 7,321,415 TEUs (a growth of 3.7%), driven by continued expansion in manufacturing and exports. India experienced a notable increase of 1,405,500 TEUs (an 11.4% rise), reflecting its growing economy and improving port infrastructure. Meanwhile, Oman recorded a significant 27.0% rise, adding 838,469 TEUs, likely due to strategic investments in port facilities to enhance its role in regional logistics.

Conversely, some countries saw declines in their container port traffic. Panama experienced a decrease of 632,008 TEUs (-9.2%), potentially due to shifts in shipping routes or competition from neighboring ports. Egypt also saw a reduction of 602,522 TEUs (-9.3%), possibly influenced by regional instability affecting trade flows. The United Arab Emirates faced a 2.8% drop, losing 586,093 TEUs, which may reflect adjustments in its logistics strategies.

The data from 2016 highlights the complex interplay of economic, geographic, and strategic factors driving container port traffic volumes worldwide. While leading nations continue to expand their port capacities to accommodate growing trade demands, smaller and less strategically positioned countries face ongoing challenges in enhancing their participation in global shipping networks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Container Port Traffic Volume in 2016

Which country had the highest container port traffic volume in 2016?

China had the highest container port traffic volume in 2016 with 202,830,580 TEUs.

What was the average container port traffic volume per country in 2016?

The average container port traffic volume per country in 2016 was 4,183,161 TEUs.

Which country had the lowest container port traffic volume in 2016?

The Republic of Moldova had the lowest container port traffic volume in 2016 with 735 TEUs.

What was the median container port traffic volume per country in 2016?

The median container port traffic volume per country in 2016 was 435,214 TEUs.

How many countries were included in the container port traffic volume dataset for 2016?

The dataset for container port traffic volume in 2016 included 164 countries.

What was the container port traffic volume for the United States in 2016?

The United States had a container port traffic volume of 46,940,227 TEUs in 2016.

Insights by country

1

Djibouti

In 2016, Djibouti ranked #61 globally with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 987400 TEUs. This volume reflects Djibouti's strategic position as a key maritime hub in the Horn of Africa, especially when compared to its neighbor Somalia, which has significantly lower port traffic. The country's investment in port infrastructure and its proximity to major shipping routes have driven this growth, facilitating trade for both landlocked countries and regional markets.

2

Eritrea

Eritrea ranked #158 globally in Container Port Traffic Volume in 2016, with a total of 12551.97 TEUs. This volume is significantly lower than regional neighbors, reflecting the challenges faced by its port infrastructure compared to countries with more developed shipping facilities.

The limited traffic can be attributed to Eritrea's relatively small economy and ongoing political isolation, which hampers trade opportunities and foreign investment. Additionally, the country's geographic positioning along the Red Sea offers potential but is underutilized due to these economic and policy factors.

3

Malta

In 2016, Malta achieved a global rank of #37 with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 3,151,939 TEUs. This volume is notable when compared to other Mediterranean nations, reflecting Malta's strategic location as a shipping hub. The country's robust maritime infrastructure and favorable shipping policies have positioned it as a key player in regional trade, bolstered by its membership in the European Union.

4

Vanuatu

In 2016, Vanuatu ranked #115 globally with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 115886.9 TEUs. This figure is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Fiji, which has a more developed port infrastructure. The modest traffic volume can be attributed to Vanuatu's small population and its reliance on tourism and agriculture, limiting the demand for containerized shipping.

5

Norway

In 2016, Norway achieved a global rank of #71 with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 716916 TEUs. This volume is relatively modest compared to larger maritime nations, highlighting Norway's smaller scale in global shipping logistics. The country's extensive coastline and rich maritime heritage support its port activities, yet its economy is more reliant on oil and gas exports than container shipping. Additionally, Norway's focus on sustainability and environmental policies may influence its shipping practices and port traffic volume.

6

Portugal

In 2016, Portugal ranked #40 globally for Container Port Traffic Volume, handling 2,912,946 TEUs. This volume is significant compared to its neighbor Spain, which ranks higher due to its larger port infrastructure and traffic. Portugal's strategic location along the Atlantic coast facilitates trade routes to Africa and the Americas, enhancing its port activity despite a smaller overall economy.

7

Austria

In 2016, Austria ranked #94 globally with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 285900 TEUs. This figure is relatively low compared to major European ports, reflecting Austria's landlocked status and reliance on neighboring countries for maritime trade. The country's strong industrial base and strategic location in Central Europe facilitate overland transport, but limited direct access to the sea constrains its container traffic capabilities.

8

China, Hong Kong SAR

In 2016, China, Hong Kong SAR ranked #8 globally with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 19,580,000 TEUs. This volume places it among the top ports worldwide, significantly higher than the global average. The region's strategic geographic location as a gateway to mainland China and its robust logistics infrastructure are key drivers of this impressive traffic volume.

9

Cambodia

In 2016, Cambodia ranked #86 globally with a Container Port Traffic Volume of 400187 TEUs. This volume is relatively modest compared to larger Southeast Asian economies, highlighting Cambodia's developing logistics sector. Key drivers for this traffic include its strategic location along the Mekong River and significant investments in infrastructure aimed at boosting trade and economic growth.

10

Malaysia

In 2016, Malaysia achieved a global rank of #5 in Container Port Traffic Volume, handling 24,569,452 TEUs. This volume positions Malaysia as a leading maritime hub in Southeast Asia, significantly ahead of many regional neighbors. The country's strategic location along major shipping routes and its well-developed port infrastructure, particularly in Port Klang, drive this impressive traffic volume, supporting its robust trade activities.

Data Source

Container port traffic (TEU: 20 foot equivalent units) | Data

The World Bank provides data on container port traffic measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which reflects the volume of goods transported through ports worldwide. This dataset offers country-level statistics that help analyze trade and shipping trends across different nations.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Container Port Traffic Volume data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

More Transportation Facts