SINGAPORE has been named the world’s leading container port in the first edition of the Leading Container Ports of the World (LCP) report.
Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan in China have following in second and third places, with Busan (Korea) and Rotterdam (Netherlands) completing the global top five.
Sydney/Port Botany was deemed the top regional container port, according to the global benchmark published by DNV and Menon Economics. Port Botany was also praised for its leadership in sustainability.
The port serves all major shipping lines and offers the most mainline services. Advanced automation and early investments in alternative fuel bunkering, green shipping corridors, and emissions reduction measures reinforce its leadership in sustainability.
According to the authors, the Oceania port landscape is marked by “a dynamic interplay of economic strength, connectivity, and sustainability”, with Port Botany’s success based upon strategic economic access and robust institutional framework.
It was said to excel in the ‘enablers’ pillar, owing to its proximity to Australia’s largest metropolitan economy and the exemplary transparency embedded in national governance standards.
Despite Sydney’s strengths, the rankings show Melbourne as the leader in overall impact, driven by commanding throughput and dominant market share.
Melbourne was said to stand out for its remarkable productivity and “pivotal role” in serving Victoria’s thriving import market.
The facility’s operational efficiency was demonstrated by streamlined terminal processes to maximise cargo handling and throughput.
Brisbane rounds out the region’s top three, serving as Queensland’s principal maritime gateway and an increasingly significant player in Oceania’s trade network. Its strong performance in ‘connectivity’ and ‘overall impact’ were said to reflect its effective liner service offerings and growing market presence.
Two New Zealand ports, Tauranga and Lyttelton, rank fourth and fifth respectively in overall ranking for Oceania ports.
The LCP ranking of Oceania ports shows how they performed in different categories, as seen here in the graph:
The LCP report benchmarks 160 ports against 35 indicators grouped into five pillars:
These indicators were based upon objective data, such as throughput volumes, berth productivity, emissions per TEU and alternative fuel availability, and were complemented by expert assessments from leading shipping stakeholders.
Singapore achieved the highest overall score, leading in all five pillars of the rankings.
The LCP ranking complements other industry benchmarks, such as the Leading Maritime Cities of the World report, by providing a focused assessment of container port performance.