Haikou, China
Haikou is the vibrant capital of Hainan Island, known as China’s southern gateway and a major port city.
Port Overview
Haikou is located on the northern coast of Hainan Island, China, facing the Leizhou Peninsula across the Qiongzhou Strait. As the capital and largest city of Hainan Province, it serves as the island’s principal port and administrative center. Haikou is strategically important as the gateway to Hainan, handling over half of the island’s total trade and supporting its role as a major economic development zone. The port’s annual container throughput is approximately 2 million TEU, ranking it among the key regional ports in southern China.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Haikou Port in China features several key terminals, including container, Ro-Ro, and passenger ferry facilities. The main container terminal is operated by Haikou Harbor Container Terminals Ltd. Cargo handling includes bulk, general cargo, and containers, supported by modern quay cranes, mobile cranes, and reach stackers. The port is advancing automation, with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) increasingly used for container transport within the terminal, enhancing efficiency and throughput.
Container Terminals
Haikou’s container terminals comprise several berths, with the main terminal currently offering 2 container berths and a shoreline of 786 meters, handling around 640,000 TEU annually. A major expansion at Ma Village is underway, set to add 9 berths with a 6.2 million TEU capacity. Automation is limited at present but expected to increase with the new terminal. Major operators include COSCO and local port authorities.
Port Services
- Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containerized cargo.
- Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, general, and breakbulk cargo, including electronics, garments, fruits, and vegetables.
- Ship services: Bunkering, pilotage, towage, vessel repair, and provisioning.
- Warehousing: On-site storage and logistics support for various cargo types.
- Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for imports and exports.
Global Connectivity
Haikou, located on Hainan Island, is a key maritime and logistics hub connecting southern China with Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Its main ports—Xiuying, Xinhai, and Macun—serve domestic regions like Guangdong and Beibu Gulf, and offer shipping routes to major ASEAN countries. Haikou is integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative, with expanding international shipping and digital infrastructure, supporting trade with over twenty countries and enhancing access to global markets.
Port Statistics
Port of Haikou, China – Key Statistics (2025):
- TEU throughput: Approximately 2 million TEU annually
- World ranking: Around 88th globally by container volume
- Number of berths: 39
- Port area: About 3.2 square kilometers
- Shipping lines: Served by major carriers including COSCO Shipping, with regular connections to domestic and regional Asian ports
