Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Beijing, China
Last Updated: May 2024
5432Revenue
$89.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
699k
Businesses
881
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China industry analysis
China is the largest country for harbor and port operations in the world in terms of cargo throughput, with 17.0 billion tons in 2023. Revenue for the Harbor and Port Operations for Freight industry in China is anticipated to rise at an annualized 5.0% over the five years through 2024. Revenue is expected to total $89.6 billion in the current year, up 7.2% from 2023.
The outbreak of COVID-19 towards the end of 2019 in China has constrained demand for industry services in 2020. Total cargo throughput of harbor and port operations in China increased by 4.3% in 2020. In 2022, total cargo throughput grew by just 0.9% due to the aggravated COVID-19 epidemic in the country. In 2023, total cargo throughput has recovered and increased by 8.2% from 2022.
The industry is estimated to have 881 harbor and port operators, with 40,513 establishments used for freight transportation. Although industry profitability has fluctuated over the past five years, it remains relatively high at 17.3% in 2024. Factors limiting profit margins include higher operating costs, weaker international trade volumes and intensifying regional competition.
More capital will likely be invested in harbors and ports to expand total operating capacity, solving the problem of capacity bottlenecks. With the removal of control measures on COVID-19 in China in late 2022, recovery of China's economy and international trade are forecast to stimulate exports and demand for water transport over the next five years. However, the State Council will likely continue discouraging the development of products with high energy consumption and high pollution levels, reducing international trade of such products. As a result, industry revenue is projected to grow at an annualized 5.0% over the five years through 2029, to total $114.4 billion.
Trends and Insights
- Cargo throughput slowdown in 2022. The total cargo throughput in harbor and port operations has increased by just 0.9% from 2021 due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
- Handling services are major revenue source. Revenue generated from handling services is still the largest segment of the industry. Average handling fees in China are relatively lower compared with foreign counterparts.
- Five port groups have been formed. China has formed five major port groups, namely Bohai Bay port group, Yangtze River Delta port group, Pearl River Delta port group, southeast coastal port group and southwest coastal port group.
- Overall concentration level is low. The industry has a low level of concentration with top four major companies making up of 19.9% of industry revenue.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $89.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Stable growth of China's economy has promoted the development of harbor and port operations
- As an important infrastructure, the industry's development is closely related the growth of national economy, especially the situation of international trade in the hinterland of harbors and ports.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The recovery of China's economy will promote future industry demand
- The repeated COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in slower growth of China's economy, which was 2.2% in 2020 and 3.0% in 2022. Cargo throughput increased by 4.3% and 0.9%, respectively.
Biggest companies in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. | 5,922.1 | |
Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. | 5,194.4 | |
Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd. | 4,155.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Handling services, Stacking services and Tugging services. Handling services is the largest segment of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China.
Trends and Insights
Handling services are major revenue source
- Handling services refers to the loading and unloading of freight by operators in harbors and ports.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Freight Rail Transport in China
- Freight Trucking in China
- Air Transportation of Freight in China
- Airports in China
- Storage & Warehousing in China
International industries
- Global Marine & Container Terminal Operation
- Port & Harbor Operations in the US
- Port and Water Transport Terminals in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Harbor and Port Operations for Freight industry in China comprises establishments that provide operational services for freight transportation in harbors and ports. Specifically, these services include loading, unloading, storage and packing of freight, piloting, towing, and parking and logistics for freight ships.
What's included in this industry?
Handling servicesStacking servicesTugging servicesPiloting servicesPacking and other auxiliary servicesCompanies
Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd.Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd.Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT (TEU)STEVEDORESSHIPPING CONTAINERPerformance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Cargo throughput slowdown in 2022. The total cargo throughput in harbor and port operations has increased by just 0.9% from 2021 due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Handling services are major revenue source. Revenue generated from handling services is still the largest segment of the industry. Average handling fees in China are relative...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Five port groups have been formed. China has formed five major port groups, namely Bohai Bay port group, Yangtze River Delta port group, Pearl River Delta port group, southea...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Overall concentration level is low. The industry has a low level of concentration with top four major companies making up of 19.9% of industry revenue.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
State-owned capital dominates the industry. Harbors and ports are important transportation infrastructure, with state-owned capital dominating the industry.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry is closely regulated by the Government. Harbors and ports are important transportation infrastructure. The operation and management of harbors and ports has been...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Advanced technologies enhanced profitability. The promotion of automatic terminals and intelligent harbors and ports has increased industry profitability.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in China include:
- National Bureau of Statistics China
- General Administration of Customs
- People’s Bank of China
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China in 2024?
The market size of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China is $89.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China industry in 2024?
There are 881 businesses in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight market in China?
The biggest companies operating in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight market in China are Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd., Shandong Port Group Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd.
What does the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China include?
Handling services and Stacking services are part of the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China?
The company holding the most market share in China is Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd..
How competitive is the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Harbor & Port Operations for Freight industry in China.
