Shanghai retains crown as world's busiest container port in 2013

Shanghai port has been the world's largest container port since 2010 when its volumes surpassed that of Singapore, its closest rival.

Singapore recorded a throughput of 29.8m teu in the first 11 months of last year, indicating that the port would need in excess of 3.8m teu of throughput in December to beat Shanghai. Singapore is expected to release its 2013 volumes tomorrow.

Last year in October, Shanghai opened a two-way traffic lane in the main channel of Yangshan Deepwater Port, allowing shipping lines to save on costs and boost turnover for the port.

Shanghai is also accelerating the implementation of shipping-related policies under the new pilot free trade zone and studying the launch of the trading of freight index derivatives, according to Shanghai Urban Construction and Communications Commission.

The city will also extend a tax rebate program to facilitate the refund of exported goods to be claimed at their ports of departure if shippers use Yangshan as a transit, the local media reported.