Top Global Car Shipping Ports: Major Automotive Hubs In 2025

Moving vehicles across continents relies on a handful of powerhouse ports engineered for speed, security, and unmatched automotive handling. Whether you’re importing a classic from Germany, exporting EVs from China, or moving entire dealer fleets to the Middle East, the right port can mean faster clearances, fewer headaches, and lower landed costs. After nearly twenty years and thousands of cars shipped from every point on the map, West Coast Shipping knows which ports rule the car shipping world—and the secrets behind their legendary efficiency.

Below, discover which global ports set the standard for automotive logistics in 2025, how they fit into today’s most trafficked shipping routes, and what you should consider when routing your next international car move. Plus, see where we operate directly, offer weekly consolidations, and manage shipments from auction to final delivery.

Shanghai – Global Volume Champion

Shanghai Port (China) is the world’s top automotive shipping hub, handling over 3.6 million finished vehicles in the past year. Driven by booming electric vehicle (EV) exports and relentless investment in port automation, Shanghai’s Haitong Terminal now channels cars to 289 ports in 130+ countries. Their digital customs and streamlined RoRo berths mean Chinese and American buyers enjoy some of the world’s quickest turnarounds.

• Haitong Terminal: Holds 40,000 cars, 7,000 daily vehicle movements

• EV-friendly: Over 500,000 new energy vehicles exported last year

• Advanced logistics: Digital VIN tagging slashes export wait times

Bremerhaven – Europe’s Auto Export Engine

Bremerhaven (Germany) remains Europe’s #1 for new and classic autos—nearly 1.6 million vehicles passed through last year. Renowned for climate-controlled storage, advanced vehicle automation, and high-volume RoRo terminals, it’s the launchpad for German luxury and performance cars headed to the U.S. and beyond.

• Direct service to and from the U.S. East Coast

• Specialized terminals for classics, EVs, and luxury cars

• Seamless rail links for factory-direct logistics

For European imports, Bremerhaven is central to our container shipping service and a frequent port of call in our auction-to-door workflow.

Rotterdam – The Continent’s Container King

Rotterdam (Netherlands) is Europe’s container powerhouse. Fully automated terminals double vehicle throughput speed, making it perfect for classic, luxury, and mixed-load containers. Rotterdam’s efficient customs systems, massive yard capacity, and direct connections to Germany, Belgium, and France make it a go-to entry point for European cars bound for the U.S.

• 14+ million TEUs processed yearly

• Robust classic and exotic car movement

• Direct access to inland distribution across Europe

Looking to combine cars, motorcycles, and parts in one load? Rotterdam excels at complex bulk car exports.

Port of Brunswick – America’s Busiest Automotive Port

Port of Brunswick (Georgia, USA) leads North America for auto imports. Colonel’s Island Terminal handled more than 841,000 vehicles in the last reporting period, serving manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Volvo. State-of-the-art rail yards and expanded berths have made Brunswick the preferred landing spot for both RoRo and containerized vehicles arriving from Europe.

• Rail links increase car handling from 150,000 to 590,000 annually

• New RoRo ramps for faster turn times

• Close access to the U.S. Southeast

Our weekly services into Brunswick are a top pick for those wanting east coast delivery on a tight timeline.

Port of Los Angeles – West Coast Gateway

Port of Los Angeles is the premier West Coast port for cars from Japan, Korea, China, and Australia. With multiple RoRo terminals and leading container handling technology, it’s ideal for classic car containers, salvage loads, and fleet imports. Its proximity to our California warehouse means short inland hauls and rapid customs clearance.

• Nine dedicated auto terminals

• Fast rail and trucking to all U.S. destinations

• Preferred by Pacific Rim exporters

See how we handle LA arrivals—especially for classic, exotic, and non-running vehicles—in our classic car shipping guide.

Singapore – Asia’s Transshipment Superhub

Singapore Port doesn’t top raw vehicle volume, but no other port matches its speed for moving cars between continents. As a hub for over 600 other ports, Singapore is where thousands of cars are reloaded onto new vessels as they move from Japan, China, or Korea to Australia, Africa, and Europe.

• Ultra-fast vessel turnaround (18 hours)

• Major link in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Oceania trades

• Advanced container automation

For complex transshipment or “mode transfer” loads (switching from RoRo to container or vice versa), Singapore is unrivaled.

Busan – Korea’s Automotive Hub

Busan (South Korea) is the principal exit and entry point for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis exports. Annually handling nearly a quarter of the world’s automotive cargo, Busan’s deep-water berths and advanced RoRo facilities make it a favorite for direct routes to California and the U.S. West Coast.

• Optimized for high-volume factory exports

• Automotive and parts consolidation for global distribution

If you’re shipping Korean-brand vehicles, rely on our Busan-based loading partners for smoother moves.

Jebel Ali – Middle East Distribution Nexus

Jebel Ali (UAE) is the Middle East’s auto distribution king, blending massive RoRo operations with containerized car shipping. Its freezone status, rapid customs, and top-tier security make it the stepping stone for high-end vehicles heading to Gulf states and Africa.

• 500,000+ vehicles handled every year

• Custom facilities for supercars and luxury makes

• Weekly sailings to Africa and the Indian subcontinent

Our Middle East shipping guide details essential compliance and routing tips from Jebel Ali and beyond.

Emerging Players & Efficient Alternatives

• Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium): Now the world’s largest for total volume; ideal for mixed Euro cargo.

• Southampton (UK): Atlantic RoRo hub for British and European luxury cars.

• New York/New Jersey (USA): Key entry for east coast U.S. market—especially for European brands.

How to Select the Right Port for Your Shipment

Choosing the right port depends on your car, your timing, and your delivery needs. Here’s what matters most:

See detailed breakdowns for classic and high-value car routes in our exotic car transport guide.

Latest Trends: Why the Right Port Matters More in 2025

• RoRo capacity is tight—book 6-8 weeks ahead for top Asia/EU lanes, especially in peak seasons.

• Container automation slashes port delays, making Rotterdam, LA, and Shanghai even more attractive for protected, multi-car moves.

• EV and NEV exports are booming—Shanghai and Bremerhaven now run specialized yards just for battery vehicles.

• Mega-container ships mean Bremerhaven/Rotterdam handle more vehicles per sailing, reducing per-unit costs for shared loads.

Bringing It All Together: West Coast Shipping at Every Major Hub

Wherever your next shipment lands—or lifts off—West Coast Shipping is there:

• Own yards in California, Florida, New Jersey for fast intake and consolidations

• Direct partners at Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Shanghai, and Jebel Ali for seamless port operations

• Weekly sailings timed for major events, auctions, and customer demand

• Expert documentation for every major port—see our car shipping paperwork guide

• Flexible routing to pivot your cars between ports as global shocks, weather, or market needs change

No matter the destination, we deliver playbook-level precision from dock to driveway.

Get Your Port-to-Port Shipping Quote

Ready to harness the world’s top car shipping ports for your next international move? Click the button below for an instant, all-inclusive quote—then let West Coast Shipping take your vehicle from yard to major port, across the ocean, and straight to its new home with unmatched expertise.