Shanghai's journey as a global aviation and shipping hub began with strategic endorsements from the State Council in the 1990s. Over the years, this vision has evolved, culminating in the ambitious plans outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Shanghai International Shipping Center (2021-25). Discover how Shanghai aims to enhance its services, influence, innovation, and competitiveness to establish itself as a world-class international shipping center by 2025.

Key achievements and highlights

Shanghai Port has maintained its position as the world's top container port for 15 consecutive years, handling a record 51.506 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, in 2024. It became the first in the world on Dec 22, 2024, to cross the 50-million-TEU mark in annual container throughput.

In 2024, Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao international airports handled 803,400 flights, marking a 14.7 percent year-on-year increase. Passenger throughput reached 124.73 million passenger trips, up 28.6 percent, while cargo and mail throughput rose 10.6 percent to 4.21 million tons. 

In addition, China's first domestically built large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, made its maiden commercial voyage from Shanghai on Jan 1, 2024.

A large number of international and domestic shipping enterprises are headquartered in Shanghai, reflecting the city's growing importance as a global maritime hub.

Shanghai accelerated the construction of major projects, such as the area north of Xiaoyangshan Island, Shanghai East Railway Station, and Pudong International Airport Phase IV. The first phase of the container terminal renovation at Shanghai's Luojing Port has been completed and is now operational.

Shanghai Shipping Exchange

The Shanghai Shipping Exchange serves as a central platform for global shipping and indices, facilitating the exchange of freight rates and ship trading data. The freight indices tracked by the exchange are key indicators of the global shipping market. Most notably, China's first shipping index futures began trading in 2023.

History and goals

Since the 1990s, Shanghai has been working towards its vision of becoming an international aviation and shipping hub.

The State Council approved the strategy in 1996, with Shanghai's deep-water port as its core and ports in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces providing support. The State Council clarified this objective twice: in May 2001 and April 2009.

In July 2021, Shanghai unveiled its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for the International Shipping Center, with the goal of establishing a new development pattern by 2025 that prioritizes enhanced services, influence, innovation and competitiveness.

Shanghai aspires to become a world-class international shipping center that is convenient, efficient, functional, open, green, and smart.

Updated: Sept 10, 2025

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Government Work Report, 2025 Shanghai Basic Facts