Shanghai Port has become the first port in the world to handle more than 200,000 TEU in a single day. The record came as the port cleared cargo backlogs after Typhoon Bavi.
Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) said the port handled 203,881 TEU on August 1. That exceeded the previous record of 187,312 TEU, set in June. One operating shift processed 71,728 TEU, setting another port record.
Typhoon Bavi disrupted operations between July 11 and 13. The closure left many deep-sea and feeder vessels waiting offshore. When the port reopened, ships arrived almost simultaneously. The surge put heavy pressure on berths, container yards and landside logistics.
SIPG restored full operations on July 14. The port then handled an average of 172,000 TEU per day while reducing vessel queues and container congestion. Extra shifts, operational changes and automated terminals helped maintain high productivity.
Several terminals also set new records. The fully automated Yangshan Phase IV terminal handled 29,910 TEU in one day. Luojing Container Terminal processed 8,373 TEU, its highest daily volume.
Shanghai has remained the world’s busiest container port for 16 consecutive years. The port handled a record 55.1 million TEU in 2025, up nearly 7% year on year. During the first half of 2026, throughput reached 28.7 million TEU, a 6.2% increase. The Yangshan port area recorded growth of more than 8%.
Chinese authorities want Shanghai Port to handle more than 58 million TEU annually by 2030. They plan to achieve this through further investment in automation, terminal capacity and operational efficiency.
