My Personal Analysis of the Value of the Port of Shanghai

Port of Shanghai is the largest and busiest up-and-running shipping port in the world, and has broken the record for TEUs handled in 2011. Achieving this great milestone creates lots of expectations for China in coming years. Only recently in 2010, Port of Shanghai overtook Port of Singapore's title as the world's busiest port with 29,069,000 TEUs compared to Port of Singapore's 28,431,000. The following year, in 2011, Port of Shanghai set a historic record, handling over 30 million TEUs. This feat is good news for the Chinese economy, as analysts expect the demand for shipping containers will continue to rise, to accommodate the shipping industry further growth; in 2013 and beyond.

Traditionally, Port of Shanghai had few residents and was not a developed region. In 1074, Shanghai upgraded from village to town status, and then became an official city in 1297. The Port of Shanghai faces the East China Sea to the east, and Hangzhou Bay to the south. It includes the heads of the Yangtze River, Huangpu River, and Qiantang River. Port of Shanghai is centrally positioned among these rivers, contributing to the ease of China's shipping industry as it becomes more efficient and effective, in providing access to Asian markets; as well as shipping ports in the rest of the world. Without a doubt, China has positioned the Port of Shanghai as the leading port using this T-shaped waterway, also known as "the Golden Waterway." Yangtze River or Chang Jiang, is the longest river in Asia, 3rd longest worldwide, and is considered the most important river in history, culture and economy of China. This river generates transportation for as much as 20 per cent of China's gross domestic product. This port has established itself as an advantageous geographical location due to this waterway.

Nevertheless, analysts are expecting good things to from this historic port. For thousands of years, the Yangtze River has been used for transportation of cargo and other fine resources and evidently it will continue to do so. Records being broken last year, leave observers in suspense. Will China's shipping port reach record highs? Or fail to meet expectations? Either way, you can expect China's investments to do their share in the global trade marketplace and continue to prosper and experience growth in the shipping industry.