Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the world's leader in annual cargo throughput for 16 consecutive years, marked another historic milestone.

Its annual container throughput exceeded 40 million TEUs for the first time on Tuesday, making it the third busiest port in the world — after Shanghai and Singapore — to join the "40 million TEU club".

Although Ningbo Zhoushan Port entered the container business later than many of its peers, it has expanded at a remarkable pace. The port exceeded 20 million TEUs for the first time in 2015, and now, less than a decade later, it has surpassed 40 million, achieving the fastest growth in both volume and increment among the world's top five container ports over the past 10 years.

Ningbo Zhoushan Port is a mega gateway linking the Yangtze River Delta region with the rest of the world. As a maritime superhub, it continues to anchor China's global trade connectivity.

Ningbo Zhoushan Port has continued to sharpen its competitive edge. Annual cargo throughput remains the highest in the world, annual container throughput ranks third globally and the Ningbo Zhoushan International Shipping Center Development Index has risen to seventh worldwide, placing the port among the leaders in world-class port development.

Today, more than 300 container shipping routes radiate from the port, connecting over 600 ports across more than 200 countries and regions. Nearly 300 ships arrive or depart daily, weaving a maritime network that "connects the world" through dense shipping corridors.

Like a spiderweb, the more intricate the route network, the greater the port's resilience and ability to withstand market volatility.

This year's shifts in global trade demand have prompted exporters to diversify their target markets. "Our clients have moved from heavy reliance on the US and European markets to actively exploring RCEP members and Belt and Road partner countries," said Wang Zhanyou, chairman of Ningbo Union-Ocean Shipping Co Ltd. Indonesia, for example, has long been a top destination for Chinese engineering contractors, requiring massive shipments of construction materials and equipment from Ningbo Zhoushan. India, meanwhile, is one of the world's largest markets for household goods and small appliances — industries in which Yangtze River Delta manufacturers excel.

Such market changes have reshaped shipping needs. Routes to Southeast Asia have become some of the most in-demand this year. Ningbo Zhoushan Port added six new Southeast Asian services, and increased vessel capacity on existing routes, making it the fastest-growing regional route in container volume in 2024.

Facing uncertainty, the port has also turned inward to tap new potential, strengthen domestic circulation and help enterprises reduce logistics costs.

Yiwu — a global capital for small commodities — is the port's first major inland extension. More than 90 percent of goods from Yiwu are shipped around the world via Ningbo Zhoushan Port.

In June, China's first rail terminal dedicated to sea-rail intermodal transport — Yiwu (Suxi) International Hub Port — began operations. For logistics companies like Yiwu Dexiang Shipping, the change has been transformative.

"By entering the Suxi hub port, it's equivalent to entering Ningbo Zhoushan Port," said Wang Min, the company's head. "A previous five-hour road trip from Yiwu becomes a one-hour transit, ensuring we never miss a vessel departure."

Leveraging more than 100 sea-rail intermodal routes, the port has extended its service network across 16 provinces and 69 cities nationwide, reinforcing its role as a backbone of domestic logistics and industrial supply chains.