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China's Port Dominance Deepens as Geopolitical Upheaval Reshapes Global Rankings

Shanghai maintained its position as the world's leading container port in the first half of 2026, processing approximately 28.7 million TEUs with a 6.2% year-over-year increase. Ningbo-Zhoushan claimed second place for the first time in a half-year period, edging out Singapore by 158,310 TEUs. Malaysia's Port Klang entered the top ten. The Middle East experienced dramatic upheaval, with Dubai's Jebel Ali plummeting from 10th to 32nd place following Strait of Hormuz disruptions tied to regional conflict. Jebel Ali's throughput collapsed 90% in the second quarter to just 374,000 TEUs, less than half its prior-year performance. Abu Dhabi's Khalifa port suffered similar declines exceeding 50%. Carriers rerouted cargo and redesigned networks to avoid the unstable waterway.