Tianjin Port, located in Tianjin Municipality in North China, has announced a new plan to expand its annual container throughput capacity to 35 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2035, up from the port's 2024 volume of 22 million TEUs.
Chinese state media reported that the plan shows that the port city is accelerating its transition from a "channel economy" to a "port economy," integrating port operations, industry, and urban development.
This development will also enhance Tianjin Port's capacity to handle the largest ships, further solidifying its pivotal role in maritime trade.
Meanwhile, it is expected to better serve the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The plan also outlines the upgrade of public infrastructure, including the construction of five navigation channels, with the highest navigational grade accommodating 300,000-ton class vessels.
Tianjin Port, located on the coast of the Bohai Sea, is a major shipping point in North China.
It has opened 145 container routes and maintains trade with more than 500 ports in more than 180 countries and regions worldwide.
The report noted that authorities in Guangzhou, South China, have launched the "One Port Pass" pilot program in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote complementary advantages and shared development among ports. Meanwhile, Shandong Province in East China has utilized its marine resources to foster the integrated reform and growth of coastal ports, with the goal of establishing a world-class port group.
Xinhua reported that Shandong's port throughput is expected to reach 2 billion tons by 2035, with container volumes surpassing 50 million TEUs.
Major Chinese ports continued to demonstrate robust growth in cargo and container throughput in 2024.
In 2024, Tianjin Port achieved a cargo throughput of 493 million tons, a 3% increase year over year, and a container throughput of 23.28 million TEUs, up 5%, setting a new record.
Qingdao Port in Shandong reported cargo throughput of 712 million tons, a 4.2% increase from the previous year, and container throughput of 30.87 million TEUs, up 7.3% from the previous year.
Shanghai Port continued its global leadership with a container throughput of 51.506 million TEUs, marking the 15th consecutive year as the world's largest container port.