Global container trade hits all-time high in 2010

Global container volumes saw a strong rebound in 2010, marking an estimated 560-million TEUs, up an all-time high of 14.5% year-on-year after experiencing an 8.9% decline in 2009, the first ever drop. Last year’s recovery was mostly attributed to the growing volume through Chinese ports, reported maritime analysts at Paris-based Alphaliner. Total container volumes handled in China, including Hong Kong, grew 17.9% against 2009 to 169-m TEUs. This accounted for 30.1% of the global throughput, a year-on-year increase of 29.3%. China has nine of the world's top 20 ports and they are growing faster than anywhere else. Today, the Port of Shanghai ranks first globally; Hong Kong third; Shenzhen, fourth; Ningbo, seventh; Guangzhou, eighth; Qingdao, ninth; Tianjin 12th; Xiamen, 18th and Dalian, 20th. South America comes after China as the second fastest growing container volume region with an increase in throughput by 17.6% in 2010.