Which terminals are parts of the ISCDI Port Ranking: overview
Every year, experts compile the ISCDI Port Ranking, which recognises the best terminals. The ranking is based on a number of factors, including technical characteristics and service levels. In 2023, the port of Singapore topped the list.
The rating results from a comprehensive analysis of the companies’ performance throughout the year. The analysts take into account such characteristics:
- terminal throughput capacity;
- number of berths and cranes for containers;
- customs tariffs;
- logistics process efficiency, etc.
According to the results for each of the identified factors, the port in Singapore was the best. This is the 11th time in a row that the terminal has been named the leader. The other participants were ranked in the following order:
- In second place, as it has been for the past five years, is the London terminal.
- Third place goes to Shanghai, which has also held this position for five years.
- Hong Kong has been in fourth place for four years.
- Dubai has been in fifth place since 2018.
The top ten also includes the ports of Rotterdam, Athens, New York and others.
The secret of the leaders’ success
Singapore has been at the top of the ranking for a long time, and rightly so. The port is a record breaker in terms of container handling – 39 million TEUs. Additional berths will come on stream in 2023, increasing terminal efficiency.
The city’s decarbonisation efforts deserve special attention. As part of this, the port carried out the world’s first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering of a container ship. It has also established several digital and green corridors.
Second in the ranking is the London terminal. Its strengths are ship finance, insurance and arbitration. The port is home to the world’s top shipbrokers, making it an attractive option for clients. London offers a high level of service for a wide range of cargoes.
In terms of productivity, the ISCDI report gives the following figures for 2023:
- the port will handle almost 52 million tonnes of cargo;
- around 70 terminal operators dealt with the cargo;
- London’s share of the UK’s total freight traffic was 12%.
Shanghai is third in the current ranking. It is the world’s busiest port, handling about 49.2 million TEUs. The port’s main advantage is its favourable location on the Yangtze River.
Like other advanced ports, Shanghai is focusing on digital transformation and striving for sustainable development. The increase in green shipping corridors strengthens its position as a global trade hub.
ISCDI analysts note that 2023 was an extremely successful year for the ports in the top ten. They demonstrated growth in cargo handling and increased revenues. In addition, each is implementing a decarbonisation strategy, which is improving business flexibility.
