Container News recently conducted an in-depth comparative analysis of five major Chinese container ports: Shanghai, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Ningbo. The objective of the analysis was to assess the relative competitiveness of these ports using key indicators. Data from open sources, such as UNCTAD and various national statistics, were used to construct these indicators, revealing important trends shaping China's shipping sector. This composite index, which merges Port Throughput and Port Investments, highlights the leading role of the Port of Shanghai, which significantly outpaces the other four ports in both investment and throughput. However, the competition between the remaining ports—Ningbo, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—remains tight. As of 2021, Guangzhou managed to overcome a slight decline and nearly aligned its performance with Ningbo. Meanwhile, Qingdao, while ranking lowest, has demonstrated consistent growth, indicating potential for future competitiveness. Shenzhen has maintained a relatively stable trajectory in throughput and investment, contrasting with the upward growth trend of Shanghai, which has accelerated since 2021. This stability indicates a matured and steady role for Shenzhen in China’s port ecosystem, while Shanghai continues to reinforce its position as the country’s dominant shipping hub. The Port Connectivity Index, sourced from UNCTAD’s Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI), provides further insights into the competitiveness of these ports.