Baltic Exchange was honoured to participate in this year’s China Maritime Day Forum in Shanghai, marking the launch of the 12th edition of the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCDI).

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Head of Asia, Jin Yu Cheong, addressed the forum, celebrating Shanghai’s continued success as China’s top maritime hub and underlining China’s growing prominence on the global maritime stage. Shanghai retained third place in the global index and remains the world’s busiest container port, handling over 51.5 million TEU in 2024.

Other Chinese ports also saw strong performance in this year’s rankings, with Ningbo-Zhoushan climbing to a record seventh place, and Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Tianjin all improving their positions. This upward momentum reflects sustained investment in port infrastructure, green technologies, and digital innovation across China's maritime sector.

Jin highlighted the growing adoption of smart port technologies, AI, and sustainable practices that are helping Chinese centres adapt to a rapidly changing shipping landscape. He also emphasised the enduring collaboration between the Chinese and UK maritime sectors, noting that continued international cooperation will be key to the industry’s success in the face of shifting trade patterns, decarbonisation, and digitalisation.