Greeks will be surprised to see the latest maritime hub survey published by Chinese state-run newswire Xinhua and London-based, Singapore-owned Baltic Exchange, which places Ningbo Zhoushan, the world’s largest port, above combined Athens and Piraeus as the leading shipping centre. 

The 2025 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCDI) Report, now in its 12th year, ranks the world’s leading shipping centres based on what the authors claim is a comprehensive evaluation of port factors, professional business services, and the general environment.

For the 12th consecutive year, Singapore has been recognised as the world’s leading shipping centre, followed by London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, with Rotterdam rounding out the top six.

Ningbo Zhoushan and Athens/Piraeus swapped positions this year, with Ningbo Zhoushan moving up to seventh and Athens/Piraeus settling in eighth.