What are the ports in RCEP countries?
RCEP, or Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, officially came into effect on January 1, 2022. Its benefits have boosted trade growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
Who are the partners of RCEP?
RCEP members include China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the ten ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam), a total of fifteen countries. (Listed in no particular order)
How does the RCEP affect global trade?
1. Reducing trade barriers: Over 90% of goods trade between member countries will gradually achieve zero tariffs, significantly reducing costs for businesses in the region.
2. Simplifying trade procedures: Standardizing customs procedures and inspection and quarantine standards, promoting "paperless trade," and shortening customs clearance times (for example, China's customs clearance efficiency for ASEAN goods has increased by 30%).
3. Supporting the global multilateral trading system: RCEP, based on the principle of "openness and inclusiveness," embraces economies at different stages of development (such as Cambodia and Japan), providing a model for inclusive regional cooperation globally. Through technical assistance, more developed countries are helping less developed member countries (such as Laos and Myanmar) enhance their trade capacity and narrow regional development gaps.
The entry into force of the RCEP has boosted trade in the Asia-Pacific region, while also generating increasing shipping demand. Here, Senghor Logistics will present important ports in RCEP member countries and analyze the unique competitive advantages of some of these ports.
China
Due to China’s developed foreign trade industry and long history of international commerce, China boasts numerous ports from south to north. Famous ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Dalian, Tianjin, and Hong Kong, etc., as well as ports along the Yangtze River, such as Chongqing, Wuhan, and Nanjing.
China accounts for 8 of the world's top 10 ports by cargo throughput, a testament to its robust trade.
Shanghai Port boasts the largest number of foreign trade routes in China, with over 300, particularly well-developed trans-Pacific, European, and Japan-South Korea routes. During peak season, when other ports are congested, Matson Shipping's regular sailings CLX from Shanghai to Los Angeles take only 11 days.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, another major port in the Yangtze River Delta, also boasts a well-developed freight network, with shipping routes to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia being its preferred destinations. The port's advantageous geographical location allows for the rapid export of goods from Yiwu, the world's supermarket.
Shenzhen Port, with Yantian Port and Shekou Port as its primary import and export ports, is located in Southern China. It primarily serves trans-Pacific, Southeast Asian, and Japan-South Korea routes, making it one of the world's busiest ports. Leveraging its geographical location and the entry into force of the RCEP, Shenzhen boasts numerous and dense import and export routes via both sea and air. Due to the recent shift of manufacturing to Southeast Asia, most Southeast Asian countries lack extensive ocean shipping routes, leading to a significant transshipment of Southeast Asian exports to Europe and the United States via Yantian Port.
Like Shenzhen Port, Guangzhou Port is located in Guangdong Province and is part of the Pearl River Delta port cluster. Its Nansha Port is a deep-water port, offering advantageous routes to Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Guangzhou has a long history of robust import and export trade, not to mention that it has hosted more than 100 Canton Fairs, attracting many merchants.
Xiamen Port, located in Fujian Province, is part of China's southeastern coastal port cluster, serving Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, and the western United States. Thanks to the entry into force of the RCEP, Xiamen Port's Southeast Asian routes have also grown rapidly. On August 3, 2025, Maersk launched a direct route from Xiamen to Manila, Philippines, with a shipping time of just 3 days.
Qingdao Port, located in Shandong Province, China, is the largest container port in northern China. It belongs to the Bohai Rim port group and primarily serves routes to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the trans-Pacific. Its port connectivity is comparable to that of Shenzhen Yantian Port.
Tianjin Port, also part of the Bohai Rim port group, serves shipping routes to Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Central Asia. In line with the Belt and Road Initiative and with the entry into force of the RCEP, Tianjin Port has become a key shipping hub, connecting countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Dalian Port, located in Liaoning Province in northeastern China, on the Liaodong Peninsula, primarily serves routes to Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Central Asia. With growing trade with RCEP countries, news of new routes continues to emerge.
Hong Kong Port, located in China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, is also one of the busiest ports and a major hub in the global supply chain. Increasing trade with RCEP member countries has brought new opportunities to Hong Kong's shipping industry.
Japan
Japan's geographical location divides it into "Kansai Ports" and "Kanto Ports." Kansai Ports include Osaka Port and Kobe Port, while Kanto Ports include Tokyo Port, Yokohama Port, and Nagoya Port. Yokohama is Japan's largest seaport.
South Korea
South Korea's major ports include Busan Port, Incheon Port, Gunsan Port, Mokpo Port, and Pohang Port, with Busan Port being the largest.
It is worth noting that during the off-season, cargo ships departing from Qingdao Port, China, to the United States may call at Busan Port to fill unfilled cargo, resulting in a delay of several days at their destination.
Australia
Australia is located between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its major ports include Sydney Port, Melbourne Port, Brisbane Port, Adelaide Port, and Perth Port, etc.
New Zealand
Like Australia, New Zealand is located in Oceania, southeast of Australia. Its major ports include Auckland Port, Wellington Port, and Christchurch Port etc.
Brunei
Brunei borders the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, and its main port is Muara, the country's largest port.
Cambodia
Cambodia borders Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Its capital is Phnom Penh, and its major ports include Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Koh Kong, and Siem Reap, etc.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, with Jakarta as its capital. Known as the "Land of a Thousand Islands," Indonesia boasts a wealth of ports. Major ports include Jakarta, Batam, Semarang, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Bekasi, Belawan, and Benoa, etc.
Laos
Laos, with Vientiane as its capital, is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia without a seaport. Therefore, transportation relies solely on inland waterways, including Vientiane, Pakse, and Luang Prabang. Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the RCEP, the China-Laos Railway has seen increasing transport capacity since its opening, leading to rapid growth in trade between the two countries.
Malaysia
Malaysia, divided into East Malaysia and West Malaysia, is a key shipping hub in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Kuala Lumpur. The country also boasts numerous islands and ports, with major ones including Port Klang, Penang, Kuching, Bintulu, Kuantan, and Kota Kinabalu, etc.
Philippines
The Philippines, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is an archipelago with its capital city being Manila. Major ports include Manila, Batangas, Cagayan, Cebu, and Davao, etc.
Singapore
Singapore is not only a city but also a country. Its capital is Singapore, and its major port is also Singapore. Its port's container throughput ranks among the highest in the world, making it the world's largest container transshipment hub.
Thailand
Thailand borders China, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Its capital and largest city is Bangkok. Major ports include Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Lat Krabang, and Songkhla, etc.
Myanmar
Myanmar is located in the western part of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Thailand, Laos, India, and Bangladesh. Its capital is Naypyidaw. Myanmar boasts a long coastline on the Indian Ocean, with major ports including Yangon, Pathein, and Mawlamyine.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. Its capital is Hanoi, and its largest city is Ho Chi Minh City. The country boasts a long coastline, with major ports including Haiphong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh, etc.
Based on the "International Shipping Hub Development Index - RCEP Regional Report (2022)," a competitiveness tier is assessed.
The leading tier includes the Ports of Shanghai and Singapore, demonstrating their strong comprehensive capabilities.
The pioneer tier includes the Ports of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Busan. Ningbo and Shenzhen, for example, are both important hubs within the RCEP region.
The dominant tier includes the Ports of Guangzhou, Tianjin, Port Klang, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, and Xiamen. Port Klang, for example, plays a significant role in Southeast Asian trade and facilitates transit.
The backbone tier includes all other sample ports, excluding the aforementioned ports, which are considered backbone shipping hubs.
The growth of trade in the Asia-Pacific region has driven the development of the port and shipping industries, providing us, as freight forwarders, with more opportunities to collaborate with clients in the region. Senghor Logistics frequently collaborates with clients from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and other countries, precisely matching shipping schedules and logistics solutions to meet their needs. Importers with inquiries are welcome to contact us!
Post time: Aug-06-2025
