Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou)
Port profile for the China freight corridor.
TL;DR: The Pearl River Delta's deep-water gateway — Yantian handles the region's largest container vessels, while Shekou serves electronics and cross-border flows into Hong Kong.
Key specifications
Throughput and draft figures are indicative and change year to year. Confirm current figures with the port authority before relying on them.
Hinterland
Pearl River Delta — electronics, appliances, furniture and the fastest-turnaround consumer-goods supply chain in China.
Routes from this origin
Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Jeddah Islamic Port
Typical transit 18 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → King Abdulaziz Port Dammam
Typical transit 20 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Jebel Ali
Typical transit 21 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Hamad Port
Typical transit 22 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Shuwaikh
Typical transit 24 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Sohar
Typical transit 19 days (estimate).
Learn more →Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou) → Khalifa bin Salman
Typical transit 22 days (estimate).
Learn more →What most guides skip
Shenzhen is really three ports under one name. Yantian is the deep-water workhorse for Gulf-bound FCL; Shekou is the electronics and cross-border hub next to Hong Kong. Importers who only specify 'Shenzhen' on the PO can be routed to the wrong terminal and miss a sailing — always pin down Yantian vs Shekou vs Chiwan.
Frequently asked questions
Which Shenzhen terminal should I use for Gulf freight?
Yantian is the standard choice for full-container loads — it has the deepest draft and the most direct ocean services. Shekou is better for electronics and cargo needing fast cross-border moves with Hong Kong.
Is Shenzhen faster to the Gulf than Shanghai?
Roughly comparable. Shenzhen is further south, which can shave a day or two versus a Shanghai loading on the same route, but the bigger variable is the specific carrier service and whether it transships.
Key takeaways
- Yantian is the deep-water terminal for large Gulf-bound vessels.
- Shekou serves electronics and cross-border traffic to/from Hong Kong.
- ≈30m TEU throughput makes it the busiest single gateway in the Pearl River Delta.
- Specify the exact terminal (Yantian / Shekou / Chiwan) to avoid routing surprises.
Port authority & customs sources
- Shenzhen Port Group port-authority
Port facts are indicative and change over time. Always confirm current operational details with the relevant port authority before making commercial decisions.
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