In August 2025, cargo throughput at China’s sea and river ports reached 1.59 billion tons, up 4.7% year-on-year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. Transshipment at the country’s seaports alone exceeded 1 billion tons for the second time this year, approaching a historical high of 1.6 billion tons per month.
Since the beginning of the year, total cargo throughput at Chinese ports has increased by 4.4% (512 million tons) to 12 billion tons. Foreign trade cargo throughput from January to August reached 3.7 billion tons, up 2.7% year-on-year, while cabotage turnover rose to 8.3 billion tons (+5.2% year-on-year).
In the first eight months of the year, China’s seaports handled 7.7 billion tons of cargo, up 3.1% year-on-year. For comparison, the previous maximum of 1.55 billion tons was recorded in December 2024, but the current pace indicates that a new record is approaching.