Market overview
The global ports market is worth USD 199 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 302 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.3% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Containers is the largest by cargo segment.
| Scope | Revenue earned by port authorities and terminal operators from container and bulk cargo handling, storage, port dues and related marine services. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 190 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 199 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 302 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.3% |
| Volume 2026 | 25,815 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 34,907 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 7.69 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Ports market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 199 bn |
| 2027 | USD 207 bn |
| 2028 | USD 216 bn |
| 2029 | USD 225 bn |
| 2030 | USD 235 bn |
| 2031 | USD 245 bn |
| 2032 | USD 256 bn |
| 2033 | USD 267 bn |
| 2034 | USD 278 bn |
| 2035 | USD 290 bn |
| 2036 | USD 302 bn |
Ports market segmentation
By cargo
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Containers | 52.0% | 55.8% | USD 103 bn | 5.0% |
| Dry bulk | 16.0% | 14.4% | USD 31.8 bn | 3.2% |
| Liquid bulk | 14.0% | 12.6% | USD 27.8 bn | 3.2% |
| Ro-ro and general cargo | 8.0% | 7.2% | USD 15.9 bn | 3.2% |
| Other cargo | 10.0% | 9.9% | USD 19.9 bn | 4.2% |
By service
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal handling | 58.0% | 58.4% | USD 115 bn | 4.4% |
| Port dues and marine services | 18.0% | 16.5% | USD 35.7 bn | 3.4% |
| Storage and warehousing | 14.0% | 14.1% | USD 27.8 bn | 4.4% |
| Logistics and other services | 10.0% | 11.1% | USD 19.9 bn | 5.4% |
By governance model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landlord ports | 48.0% | 51.0% | USD 95.3 bn | 4.9% |
| Service ports | 20.0% | 17.0% | USD 39.7 bn | 2.6% |
| Tool ports | 12.0% | 11.0% | USD 23.8 bn | 3.4% |
| Fully private ports | 20.0% | 21.0% | USD 39.7 bn | 4.8% |
By port size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega ports (over 10 million TEU) | 34.0% | 37.0% | USD 67.5 bn | 5.2% |
| Large ports (2 to 10 million TEU) | 30.0% | 29.0% | USD 59.6 bn | 4.0% |
| Mid-sized ports (0.5 to 2 million TEU) | 22.0% | 21.0% | USD 43.7 bn | 3.8% |
| Small ports | 14.0% | 13.0% | USD 27.8 bn | 3.5% |
By operator type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global terminal operators | 34.0% | 36.0% | USD 67.5 bn | 4.9% |
| Carrier-affiliated terminals | 22.0% | 23.0% | USD 43.7 bn | 4.8% |
| Port authorities and public operators | 30.0% | 27.0% | USD 59.6 bn | 3.2% |
| Local private operators | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 27.8 bn | 4.3% |
Top 25 countries for ports by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 64.6% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 90.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 51.6 bn | 26.0% | USD 80.8 bn | 4.6% |
| 2 | United States | USD 17.9 bn | 9.0% | USD 24.8 bn | 3.3% |
| 3 | Singapore | USD 10.9 bn | 5.5% | USD 15.4 bn | 3.5% |
| 4 | South Korea | USD 8.3 bn | 4.2% | USD 11.8 bn | 3.5% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 7.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 10.3 bn | 2.6% |
| 6 | Netherlands | USD 7.5 bn | 3.8% | USD 10.3 bn | 3.1% |
| 7 | India | USD 6.9 bn | 3.5% | USD 15.1 bn | 8.1% |
| 8 | Germany | USD 6.4 bn | 3.2% | USD 8.8 bn | 3.3% |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | USD 6.0 bn | 3.0% | USD 10.3 bn | 5.6% |
| 10 | Malaysia | USD 4.8 bn | 2.4% | USD 7.0 bn | 3.9% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | USD 4.6 bn | 2.3% | USD 6.7 bn | 3.9% |
| 12 | Belgium | USD 4.6 bn | 2.3% | USD 6.7 bn | 3.9% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 4.6 bn | 2.3% | USD 6.7 bn | 3.9% |
| 14 | Taiwan | USD 4.6 bn | 2.3% | USD 6.7 bn | 3.9% |
| 15 | Hong Kong | USD 4.3 bn | 2.1% | USD 6.3 bn | 3.9% |
| 16 | Thailand | USD 3.9 bn | 1.9% | USD 6.3 bn | 4.9% |
| 17 | Vietnam | USD 3.6 bn | 1.8% | USD 6.3 bn | 5.8% |
| 18 | Indonesia | USD 3.3 bn | 1.7% | USD 5.3 bn | 4.9% |
| 19 | Brazil | USD 3.1 bn | 1.6% | USD 4.5 bn | 3.9% |
| 20 | Turkey | USD 2.9 bn | 1.5% | USD 4.7 bn | 4.9% |
| 21 | Saudi Arabia | USD 2.8 bn | 1.4% | USD 4.5 bn | 4.9% |
| 22 | Australia | USD 2.6 bn | 1.3% | USD 3.9 bn | 3.9% |
| 23 | Egypt | USD 2.5 bn | 1.3% | USD 4.1 bn | 4.9% |
| 24 | Italy | USD 2.4 bn | 1.2% | USD 3.5 bn | 3.9% |
| 25 | Morocco | USD 2.3 bn | 1.2% | USD 3.8 bn | 4.9% |
| Rest of world | USD 18.3 bn | 9.2% | USD 28.0 bn | 4.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- PSA International
- DP World
- COSCO Shipping Ports
- China Merchants Port Holdings
- APM Terminals
- Hutchison Ports
- Shanghai International Port Group
- Ningbo Zhoushan Port
- Qingdao Port International
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Terminal Investment Limited
- Adani Ports and SEZ
- ICTSI
- Eurogate
- SSA Marine
- Hamburger Hafen und Logistik
- Yilport Holding
- Santos Brasil
- Port of Rotterdam Authority
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Westports Holdings
- Gulftainer
- JSW Infrastructure
- Tanger Med Group
- Saigon Newport Corporation
- Port of Salalah
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the ports market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.3% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by cargo, by service, by governance model, by port size, by operator type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the ports market?
The global ports market is estimated at USD 190 bn in 2025 and USD 199 bn in 2026.
How fast will the ports market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 302 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% from 2026, an increase of USD 104 bn.
Which country is the largest market for ports?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 51.6 bn in 2026, 26.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 40.5%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which ports segment is largest?
In the by cargo split, Containers is the largest segment with 52.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading ports companies?
Global leaders include PSA International, DP World, COSCO Shipping Ports, China Merchants Port Holdings.
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