Xinhua reported from Hangzhou on 10 November 2026 that, as of that date, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's 2026 container throughput had already exceeded 40 million TEU. It is the second consecutive year the port has reached that volume, and the milestone came 22 days earlier than last year, according to the port.
The report cited China's goods trade of 39.94 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2026, up 18.8% year on year, as a backdrop for stronger cargo demand and higher expectations for reliable, timely corridors. Ningbo-Zhoushan has extended its hinterland network to 115 sea-rail intermodal lines covering 16 provinces and 71 prefecture-level cities, with this year's sea-rail volume already above 1.8 million TEU. On the ocean side, the port now operates more than 310 container services linking over 700 ports in more than 200 countries and regions.
The China-Europe Arctic Express has entered regular operation this year, with eight voyages completed in the current navigation season. Ships loaded with energy-storage cabinets, power batteries and photovoltaic modules leave Ningbo-Zhoushan via the Arctic Northeast Passage and can reach Europe in about 20 days, nearly half the transit of the traditional Suez Canal route, Xinhua said.
A Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company business department official said deep-water berths, specialized terminals and hinterland connections continue to support higher handling capacity. Coordination with customs, maritime, immigration and shipping lines has also reduced non-working time for container ships. In September the port's average daily container volume exceeded 140,000 TEU and the month totaled 4.27 million TEU, a historical high. Bookers should still confirm berth windows, sea-rail cutoffs and Arctic Express eligibility with the terminal or carrier for each lot.