The latest edition of the Global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) highlights the exceptional performance of East and Southeast Asian ports in 2023, with these regions accounting for 13 of the top 20 positions. This development underscores the shifting dynamics in global maritime logistics and the critical role these ports play in international trade.
Table of Contents
Data and Methodology
The CPPI, developed by the World Bank in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, is now in its fourth edition. This year’s index is based on an unprecedented dataset comprising over 182,000 vessel calls, 238.2 million container moves, and approximately 381 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the entire calendar year of 2023. Given that over 80% of global merchandise trade is transported by sea, the efficiency, resilience, and overall performance of ports are vital to global markets and economic development (World Bank, 2023).
Impact of Regional Disruptions
According to the latest report, regional disruptions have had a significant impact on port performance worldwide. Although the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have lessened, the container shipping sector remains highly volatile and unpredictable. Martin Humphreys, Lead Transport Economist at the World Bank, emphasized the need for major ports to invest in resilience, new technology, and green infrastructure to ensure market stability and sustainability (World Bank, 2023).
Read More:
New Entrants and Notable Performers
The CPPI 2023 includes 57 new ports, such as Muuga Harbour in Estonia and Port of Al Duqm in Oman. Additionally, Visakhapatnam Port in India made a significant leap into the top 20. Despite its relatively lower ranking, Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Port achieved a noteworthy reduction in ship arrival times by 57%.
“There is a greater awareness and focus on the resilience and efficiency of maritime gateways, and a better understanding of the negative impact of port delays on economic development,” said Turloch Mooney, Head of Port Intelligence & Analytics at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Mooney further elaborated on how poor port performance can extend beyond a port’s hinterland, disrupting entire schedules and increasing the cost of imports and exports, thereby reducing competitiveness and hindering economic growth (S&P Global Market Intelligence, 2023).
Top Performing Ports
China’s Yangshan Port secured the top spot for the second consecutive year. Oman’s Port of Salalah retained the second position, while Colombia’s Port of Cartagena climbed to third place. Morocco’s Tanger-Mediterranean stayed steady in fourth, and Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas rounded out the top five.
| Rank | Port Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yangshan Port | China |
| 2 | Port of Salalah | Oman |
| 3 | Port of Cartagena | Colombia |
| 4 | Tanger-Mediterranean | Morocco |
| 5 | Tanjung Pelepas Port | Malaysia |
Read More:
Importance of CPPI
The CPPI ranks 405 global container ports by efficiency, focusing on the duration of port stays for container vessels. The primary aim of the index is to identify areas for improvement, benefiting multiple stakeholders across the global trading system and supply chains—from ports to shipping lines, national governments, and consumers (World Bank, 2023).
References
- World Bank. (2023). Container Port Performance Index 2023. Retrieved from World Bank Website
- S&P Global Market Intelligence. (2023). Port Performance and Analytics. Retrieved from S&P Global Website
