Shanghai marks China's National Maritime Day – city rises to second place in global shipping ranking
The sea has always been more than a body of water — it is a path to prosperity. For China, the ocean is historical memory, an economic artery and a symbol of openness to the world. When a host city rises to second place globally in shipping competitiveness, it is not just a statistic but recognition of decades of effort, investment and strategic vision. China's National Maritime Day in Shanghai became an opportunity not only to remember maritime traditions but also to show how far the country has advanced in its pursuit of becoming a leading maritime power.
On Friday, celebrations for China's 2026 National Maritime Day began in Shanghai, featuring various public events aimed at promoting maritime culture and highlighting Shanghai's growing status as a leading international shipping centre. On Saturday, China marked its 22nd National Maritime Day, which also coincides with World Maritime Day. Public events in Shanghai include ship open days, cultural and creative fairs and special philatelic exhibitions, bringing maritime culture closer to residents across the city. Relevant shipping indices showed that Shanghai rose to second place among 43 global cities in shipping competitiveness, underscoring its growing role as a leading international maritime hub. As part of the celebrations, three vessels — including the patrol ship "Haixun 01" and the pilot vessel "Hugangyin 6" — docked at the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal and opened to the public. The event attracted large crowds who boarded the vessels to observe maritime patrol operations, pilotage services and take sightseeing cruises. Visitors also learned about navigation technologies and gained first‑hand insight into the daily lives of seafarers. "I came here because I wanted to see Chinese ships. For the first time, I learned that a vessel can be equipped with small devices on both sides to maintain balance. That really impressed me," said visitor Wu Xiaoting.
China's National Maritime Day was established in 2005 to commemorate the voyages of Zheng He, who in the early 15th century made seven expeditions to the Western Seas. Shanghai, the country's largest port, plays a key role in maritime trade and has long been among the world's leading ports by container throughput. Shanghai's rise to second place in the competitiveness ranking reflects the successful implementation of the strategy to transform the city into an international shipping centre, including the development of smart ports, green shipping and maritime financial services. As CCTV+ reports. Festivities will continue through the weekend, attracting thousands of residents and tourists.
