Guangzhou, China

Port Overview

Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China, located on the Pearl River approximately 120 kilometers northwest of Hong Kong. As China's third-largest city, it covers 7,434 square kilometers with a population exceeding 18 million. The city serves as one of China's nine National Central Cities and stands at the heart of the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, anchoring one of the world's largest urban agglomerations with over 70 million residents. Guangzhou functions as a major international port and transportation hub, historically serving as a terminus of the maritime Silk Road and hosting the prestigious Canton Fair, China's oldest and largest trade exhibition.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Guangzhou Port features major terminals at Nansha and Huangpu. Nansha Port offers 16 deep-water container berths, advanced automated terminals (including the fully automated Phase IV terminal), and specialized RoRo and reefer facilities. Huangpu Port focuses on bulk cargo with dedicated terminals for minerals, steel, and petroleum. The port is equipped with modern ship-to-shore cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), X-ray inspection systems, and extensive storage, supporting efficient handling of containers, bulk, and specialized cargo.

Container Terminals

Guangzhou Port operates 8 major container terminals, primarily in the Nansha, Xinsha, and Huangpu port areas. The port has over 40 dedicated container berths and an annual container handling capacity exceeding 25 million TEUs. Automation is advancing, especially at Nansha, with modern automated equipment and digital systems. The main operator is the state-owned Guangzhou Port Group Co. Ltd., overseeing all container terminal operations and infrastructure development.

Port Services

Main Services at Port of Guangzhou

Container Operations

• Container loading/discharging and transshipment services
• Approximately 25 million TEUs annual capacity

Cargo Handling

• Bulk cargo, general cargo, and break-bulk operations
• Specialized handling for oil, coal, grain, steel, ore, automobiles, and chemicals

Ship Services

• Comprehensive berthing facilities with over 2,000 berths
• Deep-water berths accommodating vessels up to 150,000 tonnage class

Warehousing & Storage

• Bonded warehousing facilities
• Cold storage and specialized cargo storage

Customs & Inspection

• Centralized inspection center with 7-day clearance capability
• Pre-clearance and streamlined customs services

Global Connectivity

Guangzhou is a major maritime hub in South China, connecting over 300 ports in more than 80 countries. Its main terminals, Nansha and Huangpu, serve the Pearl River Delta and inland provinces, linking to key regions such as Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Hunan. Guangzhou offers direct shipping routes to Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, supporting global trade through frequent connections and advanced logistics infrastructure.

Port Statistics

Port of Guangzhou Key Statistics

Container Throughput: 13.64 million TEUs (January-June 2025), positioning it as China's fifth-largest container port

Global Ranking: Among the world's top container ports, serving as South China's largest comprehensive port

Coverage: Serves over 300 ports across more than 80 countries and regions worldwide

Strategic Location: Located at the confluence of the Dongxiang, Xinjiang, and Beijing rivers in the Pearl River Delta

Top Trading Partners: European Union, United States, and ASEAN nations

Recent Developments: Implementing eco-focused upgrades including electric handling equipment and expanded rail connectivity to support green-port initiatives