Which Ports Are Winning the New Shipping Map?

Some gateways are surging. Others are barely moving.

Global container trade grew 5.2% y-o-y in first half.

But ports are seeing very different results.

In H1, one major gateway grew 30%.

Another fell 5%.

In one country, total container volumes were almost flat.

But individual ports moved sharply in opposite directions.

And elsewhere, route disruption is changing which locations matter most.

These shifts reshape decisions across container shipping.

So which ports are gaining ground — and why?

Here are 5️⃣ signals behind the shift:

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1️⃣ Growth is moving fast

South African ports handled 20% more containers in H1 2026.