Global container port throughput in 2022 saw a modest increase of less than 1% to reach 454 million TEUs, driven mainly by China and the Middle East.
While the numbers are the highest ever, Alphaliner’s latest analysis shows growth is down from the previous year.
China’s top 10 ports increased by 4.1% to reach 222 million TEUs, reaching a growth rate of 6.2% in 2021.
Dubai throughput increased by 1.6% to 13.9 million TEUs, while Tangier Mediterranean throughput increased by 5.6% to 7.6 million TEUs, adding 423,000 TEUs.
However, a number of European, Indian subcontinent and Asian ports have seen declines, with Kelang Port, Kaohsiung and Jakarta all below 2019 volumes, as reported by Alphaliner.
The three major European ports, namely Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges and Hamburg, saw heading volumes decline by 5.8%, 5.5% and 5.4% respectively.
The decline was particularly acute for Antwerp, which merged with the coastal port of Zeebrugge in April 2022. Considering the estimated total throughput of the two ports in 2021, the actual decline in 2022 is more likely to be around 6.5%, according to Alphaliner. Estimate.
As a result, throughput at all three European ports is below 2019 levels.
READ: Antwerp-Bruges port throughput drops in first quarter due to economic slowdown
In the US, the ports of New York and New Jersey increased by 5.3% and the port of Savannah by 4.7% to become the busiest ports in the US, Alphaliner notes.
Los Angeles dropped to second place with a 5.3% drop in throughput. Volumes at her four major US container ports – New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Savannah – are now well above 2019 levels.
READ: Long Beach imports take a hit as eastward shift drags on
Without growth at China’s top ports, the remaining top 30 ports would have seen a 2% decline in traffic, according to Alphaliner.
