Shenzhen takes over third spot in terms of the world’s busiest container ports.
After ceding its status as the world's third-busiest container port to Shenzhen, China, and falling to fourth place for the first time, Hong Kong is likely to see its business volume drop further next year.
Hong Kong has suffered two consecutive years of decline in container throughput with a 40-day strike by port workers demanding better wages last year at the Kwai Tsing container terminal contributing to the drop in throughput with vessels diverted to other ports writes the South China Morning Post.
Among the shipping lines which diverted were Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan Ltd. and Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.
Hong Kong’s decline is expected to continue as more factories leave the Pearl River Delta with their exports accounting for a large share of container trade.
In contrast over the last 12 months, Shenzhen’s throughput has risen with its terminals handling 23.3 million TEUs, outpacing Hong Kong’s 22.3 million.
Last year the port was home to 39 shipping companies with 131 international container routes and around 560 ships calling at the port on a monthly basis.
Other Chinese ports are also gaining ground on Hong Kong including Guangzhou, which together with Shenzhen ranks among the top container ports in the world.
While smaller than the others, Guangzhou is growing at a fast pace due to developments at its Nansha Port.
Shanghai and Singapore remain the world’s two busiest container ports.
The port’s position may be consolidated further following a visit to BVI Ports Authority Board Members met a delegation from Qianhai Shenzhen to discuss areas for cooperation and opportunities.
