This photo shows an aerial view of the Shanghai Port container terminal for international trade in Shanghai on May 9, 2026.
Shanghai has released its "Plan for Accelerating the Development of the Shanghai International Shipping Center During the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (2026-2030)." The plan sets a goal of establishing Shanghai as a modern international shipping centre by 2030, featuring globally leading connectivity, high-quality and efficient services, outstanding smart and low-carbon innovation, a resilient governance system, and significantly enhanced capacity to allocate global shipping resources.
Developing the Shanghai International Shipping Center is a major national strategy and a key component of the city's broader effort to strengthen its role as an international centre of economy, finance, trade, shipping and technology innovation. Speaking at a municipal press conference on the 15th Five-Year Plan, Shanghai Vice Mayor He Qing said the Port of Shanghai handled more than 55.06 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, retaining its position as the world's busiest container port for the 16th consecutive year. Shanghai's two airports also recorded a combined passenger throughput of 135 million, ranking third among cities worldwide.
