Guangzhou has surpassed Tokyo to become the world's 12th international shipping center by comprehensive capabilities, according to the 2025 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index.

Guangzhou Port is one of China's largest domestic container hubs, with a cargo throughput of 680 million tons in 2024, ranking fifth globally, and a container throughput of 26.45 million TEUs, ranking sixth globally last year.