2 Shanghai Throughput: 28,006,400teu (+7.1%)

Despite the shrinking percentage growth from double to single-digit, Shanghai retained second place on the league table. However, it failed to meet expectations that it could overtake Singapore as the world’s busiest box port. Shanghai missed its 2008 target of 28.5m teu, which it had revised down from 30m teu in October 2008.

Relying heavily on exports, the port attributed the slowdown in volume growth to the global financial crisis, which led to the contraction of international trade.

Of the 28m teu handled, 15.39m teu was processed in the Waigaoqiao port area and 8.23m teu was lifted in the newer Yangshan port area.

The official opening of the second part of phase III of Yangshan in December 2008 added 1.25km of quayline. Yangshan port area now has 16 berths totalling 5.6km with an annual capacity of 9.3m teu.

This year, Shanghai will continue the construction of phase VI of Waigaoqiao, consisting of a 100,000 tonne container terminal that can accommodate 150,000dwt boxships, two 70,000 tonne box terminals, two 50,000 tonne ro-ro terminals, and two feeder berths designed for 5,000 tonne ro-ro vessels. The facilities will have an annual capacity to handle 2.1m teu of box traffic and 730,000 vehicles.

The port will begin further expansion in west Yangshan where 10-12 more berths will be built between 2010 and 2013.

Shanghai set a target of 29m teu for 2009 based on continued consolidation of its port investments on the Yangtze River and expansion at Yangshan. However, the management of Shanghai International Port Group warned in May this year that the port is likely to miss its target again due to the worsening economy.

In response to poor market conditions, Shanghai port authority has unveiled a series of concessionary measures, such as tax breaks for foreign ships registered in Shanghai.