Shanghai is the most popular port of call for the largest container ships, handling 18 of the 20 services deploying vessels with capacities of more than 10,000 20-foot-equivalent units, according to industry analyst Alpha liner.
Sixteen of the services operate between Asia and Europe, two are on the Far East-U.S. West Coast trade, and one is on the Far East-Middle East Gulf route.
Some large ships are also deployed from time to time on Mediterranean Shipping Co.’s Far East-South Africa-Europe “pendulum” service.
Shanghai is followed by the three Shenzhen ports of Yantian, Shekou and Chiwan, which together receive 17 weekly calls; another Chinese port, Ningbo, has 15 weekly calls.
There are currently 161 vessels with capacities of more than 10,000 TEUs calling at 51 ports, with the largest, CMA CGM’s 16,000-TEU Marco Polo, making its maiden calls at North European ports this week.
The number of ports handling such container ships is expected to increase over the next three years, with a further 110 vessels with capacities of more than 10,000 TEUs scheduled for delivery during the period.
Genoa, Colombo, Kaohsiung and Yokohama are expected to join the ports handling the vessels,
