Global container throughput presented a mixed picture in May 2026, according to the latest operational estimates published by EconDB. While some major container ports recorded higher estimated throughput compared with the same period last year, others experienced notable declines, highlighting the different market dynamics shaping global container trade.
The dataset compares estimated throughput across major international container ports during May 2026 against the corresponding period of 2025, providing an operational snapshot of how container activity has evolved across key maritime gateways.
Most ports included in the May dataset recorded lower estimated throughput compared with the same month in 2025.
Shanghai is estimated to have recorded one of the largest year-on-year declines, with throughput decreasing by approximately 45%. Qingdao and Ningbo also registered significant estimated declines, reflecting softer activity compared with the previous year.
Despite an estimated decline of around 20%, Singapore remained the busiest port in the dataset by estimated throughput, maintaining a considerable lead over the other ports included in the analysis.
Not all ports followed the broader downward trend.
Rotterdam is estimated to have increased throughput by approximately 4% compared with May 2025, while Colombo posted an estimated increase of around 3.6%, making them the only ports in the dataset to record positive year-on-year growth.
Despite the estimated declines recorded at several ports, Asia continues to dominate global container throughput.
Singapore, Shanghai, Busan and Ningbo remain among the largest container hubs covered by the dataset, underlining the region’s continued importance for global manufacturing, exports and transshipment activity.
While official throughput statistics published by port authorities remain the benchmark for measuring long-term port performance, operational estimates provide an additional perspective by offering a more immediate view of container movements.
Used alongside official statistics, these estimates help identify emerging trends across major container ports before audited annual figures become available, providing valuable market intelligence for the container shipping industry.
The analysis presented in this article is based on independent operational estimates provided by EconDB. The figures are generated using commercial vessel tracking, liner schedules and trade flow modelling and are intended to provide a timely indication of global container port activity.
These estimates do not constitute official throughput statistics published by port authorities, governments or other official bodies. They should be interpreted as independent market estimates designed to complement—not replace—official port performance data.
Source:EconDB Maritime Intelligence Platform.
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