The Port of Shanghai is China's most populous city, the world's second busiest seaport, and one of the world's largest cities by area. Located on the mouth of the Yangtze River in east central China off the East China Sea, the Port of Shanghai is a municipality with province status in the People's Republic of China. The Port of Shanghai is about 421 kilometers southeast of the Port of Lianyungang and about 430 nautical miles north of the Port of Taipei in Taiwan. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2002, over 16.2 million people lived in the Port of Shanghai municipality.
The Port of Shanghai is China's leading commercial and financial center, and it has been called the world's fastest-growing economy. The Port of Shanghai rivals Hong Kong as the economic heart of the Chinese mainland, but Shanghai has stronger ties to the mainland and to the central government. The Port of Shanghai also has a more solid base in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Experiencing a building boom, Shanghai's architectural style is unique and recognizable in its range of height, design, color, and unusual features. The Port of Shanghai, located in the vicinity of Shanghai, comprises a deep-sea port and a river port.
In 2010, Shanghai port overtook Singapore port to become the world's busiest container port. Shanghai's port handled 29.05 million TEUs, whereas Singapore port was a half million TEU's behind.
The Port of Shanghai faces the East China Sea to the east, and Hangzhou Bay to the south. It includes the heads of the Yangtze River, Huangpu River (which enters the Yangtze River), and Qiantang River.
The Port of Shanghai is managed by Shanghai International Port which superseded the Shanghai Port Authority in 2003. Shanghai International Port Company Limited is a public listed company, of which the Shanghai Municipal Government owns 44.23 percent of the outstanding shares.
The Shanghai International Port (Group) Company, Limited (SIPG) is the sole operator of the public terminals in the Port of Shanghai. The SIPG was incorporated in 2003 when the former Shanghai Port Authority was reorganized. In 2006, the SIPG became a share-holding limited company whose major shareholders include Shanghai's municipal government, China International Terminals Company Limited, and Shanghai Tongsheng Investment Group Corporation. Shanghai State-assets Operation Company and Shanghai Dasheng Assets Company are minor shareholders.