Hong Kong holds 4th spot in global shipping centre index

The city remained amongst the world’s top five maritime hubs as Shanghai overtook London for second place.

Hong Kong retained its position as the world’s fourth-ranked international shipping centre in the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index.

The city scored 80.87 in the latest ranking, placing behind Singapore, Shanghai, and London, but ahead of Dubai. Hong Kong has held fourth place since 2020, after ranking third from 2014 to 2017 and second in 2018 and 2019.

Singapore remained the world’s leading international shipping centre for the 13th consecutive year, scoring 99.32 out of 100. The report cited Singapore’s strategic location, established maritime services in finance, insurance and legal expertise, and role in alternative fuel development and technological innovation.

Shanghai rose to second place with a score of 84.27, overtaking London, which scored 81.80. The report said Shanghai’s rise reflects its continued strengthening as a global maritime centre for containerised trade.

Dubai ranked fifth with 77.13. Together, Singapore, Shanghai, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai have remained in the top five for nine consecutive years, underscoring the stability of the world’s leading maritime centres.

The report also showed stronger performance from China’s major shipping centres. Ningbo-Zhoushan rose to sixth place, whilst Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Tianjin also improved their rankings from last year.

No new maritime centres entered the top 20 this year, but the report said movements within the ranking point to intensifying competition amongst established hubs.

The index, now in its 13th year, evaluates 43 international shipping centres based on port performance, professional maritime services, and the wider business environment.

Indicators include cargo throughput, crane numbers, container berth length, port draught, shipbroking, ship management, ship finance, insurance, legal services, customs efficiency, digital government services, and logistics performance.