Ningbo-Zhoushan becomes first port to register 1bn tonne annual throughput

China can now boast the world’s first port to have an annual throughput of more than 1bn tonnes. Ningbo-Zhoushan port to the south of Shanghai hit the milestone on Wednesday, cementing its position as the world’s largest port in overall tonnage terms.

The ports of Ningbo and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province merged nearly a decade ago. Considered to be one of China’s finest natural deepwater harbours, Ningbo-Zhoushan has grown solidly on all cargo fronts, with overall throughput set to register double digit growth this year. Its container operations have been among the fastest growing all century too, rising from less than 500,000 teu 17 years ago to become part of the elite club of 20m-plus teu ports around the world.

The port aims to raise throughput to 1.25bn tons by 2022.