Global container port throughput demonstrated strong resilience in 2025, rising 6.5% year-on-year to 994 million TEU (mteu) despite geopolitical uncertainty, according to Drewry’s Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast 2026/27.
Global terminal operators (GTOs) outperformed the overall market, posting an average 8.9% increase in equity-adjusted throughput, lifting their share of global container volumes from 48.8% in 2024 to 49.9% in 2025.
PSA International retained its position as the world’s largest global terminal operator, recording 69.9 mteu in equity-adjusted throughput, a 5.3% increase over the previous year.
The report highlighted robust expansion among leading operators, with eight of the 19 GTOs registering double-digit throughput growth. Fast-growing players included AD Ports, Adani, CMA CGM, MSC Group, APM Terminals and Hanseatic Global Terminals, driven by acquisitions and capacity expansion.
Drewry noted that the container terminal sector is entering a new phase as concession agreements awarded during the late-1990s and early-2000s privatisation wave approach renewal. Operators are increasingly engaging with port authorities early to secure long-term extensions while aligning investment and operational objectives.
Merger and acquisition activity remained strong during the year, although geopolitical tensions and regulatory scrutiny have delayed several high-profile transactions, including the proposed Terminal Investment Limited (TiL)-BlackRock acquisition of Hutchison Ports’ international portfolio. Financial investors also continued to show interest in the sector, with Macquarie acquiring a 50% stake in Australia’s Patrick Stevedores through Qube and Stonepeak partnering with CMA CGM to establish United Ports LLC.
“While monetisation of terminal assets is not a new strategy, CMA CGM’s deal with Stonepeak demonstrates further that partnership can generate win-win outcomes for investors and operators,” said Eleanor Hadland, Drewry’s Senior Analyst for Ports and Terminals.
Capital expenditure by the sampled operators increased 23% in 2025, reflecting continued investment in portfolio expansion, infrastructure upgrades, automation and digitalisation. Combined GTO capacity is projected to increase by 186 mteu between 2025 and 2030, although joint ownership structures may result in some double counting.
Greenfield developments have returned as a major growth strategy, accounting for 23% of projected capacity additions. MSC Group and CMA CGM are each expected to add more than 8 mteu of new greenfield capacity by 2030, supported by their integrated shipping line ownership, which enables them to secure cargo volumes for new terminals.
In terms of global footprint, DP World and MSC Group operate terminal assets across all 10 world regions, while APM Terminals, Hutchison Ports, CMA CGM and ICTSI have a presence in nine regions. PSA currently operates in eight regions.
The report also underscored the industry’s growing focus on sustainability. All 19 global terminal operators covered have committed to achieving net-zero emissions between 2040 and 2060, with strategies centred on improving operational efficiency, reducing energy consumption and transitioning to renewable electricity.
