Rotterdam steps up and holds 6th position International Shipping Centre Development Index

On July 10 the Baltic Exchange and Xinhua published the annual International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index. Rotterdam jumped two places and holds the 6th position in the overall ranking due to improved operating efficiency, with new technology applications such as the internet of things, big data, and artificial intelligence, as well as smart port construction.

The index covers 43 of the world’s largest ports and cities and is designed to bring clarity to investors and governments on the relative performance of shipping centres around the world.

The Asia-Pacific region now makes up 50% of the top 10, with three of those centres making up the top four. Singapore maintains its leading position for the fifth consecutive year due to the strategic opportunities brought about by the “Belt and Road” initiative. Hong Kong overtook London – for the first time in five years – to take second place, although London is still assessed to be the top professional maritime services location.

Shanghai moved up to fourth place thanks to its rapidly developing modern shipping logistics and shipping services systems, in addition to the coordinated development of its regional shipping counterparts. Tokyo held ninth position, while Busan returned to the top ten, replacing Athens, by virtue of its strategy of vigorously developing its transhipment ports.

Overall rankings

Ranking	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
1	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore	Singapore
2	Hong Kong	London	London	London	London
3	London	Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Hong Kong
4	Shanghai	Hamburg	Hamburg	Rotterdam	Rotterdam
5	Dubai	Shanghai	Rotterdam	Hamburg	Hamburg
6	Rotterdam	Dubai	Shanghai	Shanghai	Dubai
7	Hamburg	New York	New York	Dubai	Shanghai
8	New York	Rotterdam	Dubai	New York	Tokyo
9	Tokyo	Tokyo	Tokyo	Busan	New York
10	Busan	Athens	Athens	Athens	Busan

Read the entire article on Baltic Briefing.