TRANSSHIPMENT PORT COMPARISON: HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI
Transshipments are becoming an important aspect of ocean shipping as carriers are changing their worldwide operation patterns. Previously, many direct shipping links existed between medium and large-size ports. Today, carriers are
increasingly phasing out small vessels in exchange for large vessels. Instead of calling at many medium ports, carriers are increasingly only calling on high-volume and popular ports with large vessels for international trade lanes and outsourcing the domestic links between the medium and large ports to feeder vessel operators.Â
As a result, transshipments are needed at major ports. For example, it may be necessary for cargo originating in Qingdao, China with the final destination of Los Angeles, USA to undergo a transshipment in Shanghai, China.
With Hong Kong being the #3 busiest container port and Shanghai being the #1 busiest container port in the world, both cities handle a large amount of transshipment goods from multiple domestic and international ports bound for overseas destinations.
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The CargoSmart’s Global Vessel Voyage Monitoring Center (GVVMC) has collected and analyzed data to determine which port does a better job handling transshipments to make sure your cargo arrives on time.Â
Shanghai Handles Twice the Capacity and Has Fewer Cranes per Berth
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The majority of transshipment containers passing through Hong Kong are handled at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. Kwai Tsing Container Terminals consists of nine terminals that in total provide 24 berths capable of handling over 21 million TEUs. Transshipments passing through Shanghai are handled
at the container terminals in Wusongkou, Waigaoqiao, and Yangshan. Shanghai’s container capacity is continuously expanding, handling over 29 million TEUs in 2012. While the Port of Shanghai may feature more berths and larger handling
capacity, the average number of cranes per berth is lower. While a larger number of berths guarantee more ships are able to arrive, a higher number of cranes means there may be fewer delays in operations.Â
Hong Kong Vessels Experience Shorter Delays and Berth Times
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Timing is critical for successful transshipments. If vessels are delayed into the transshipment port, connections are easily missed and cargo has to be rerouted and may be subject to further delays. The GVVMC has collected vessel arrival delay and berth time data for both Hong Kong and Shanghai ports from February18 through March 17, 2013 (the month before the Hong Kong port strike disrupted operations) The average arrival delay reflects the average delay the vessels experienced at the ports. The delay reasons included port congestion, lack of berth space, previous port delay, and local weather conditions.
While Hong Kong recorded 347 arrival delays over 12 hours, averaging 19.82 hours, Shanghai recorded 393 vessel delays over 12 hours, averaging 36.29 hours.
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Both Ports Offer Strong Transshipment Services
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In conclusion, both Hong Kong and Shanghai are world-class ports. While Hong Kong port is smaller, it features efficient terminal operations and has a lower
average record of vessel delays and berth times. Shanghai, on the other hand, experiences longer delays on average while offering more recovery options if needed. We conclude that both ports possess different strengths and
are reliable transshipment ports. The GVVMC shares statistics on transshipment routes so that you can better plan your shipments and carefully select the
appropriate schedules and routings to avoid delays. The statistics reflect the general situation in the past. The actual performance of the vessels and ports will depend on the actual situation affected by weather, vessel delays, and
other factors.
