It is the second largest container transshipment hub in mainland China[1] and the city of Dalian is cateogorized as a Large-Port Metropolis using the Southampton system for port-city classification.

It has established trading and shipping links with more than 300 ports in 160 countries and regions of the world.

Port of Dalian handles at least 100 million in cargo throughput annually.

[1] In May 2010, the port was visited by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il, as part of a series of tours given to Kim by the Chinese government to promote an economic liberalization along the lines of the Chinese economic reform in North Korea.

[9] The province would form a new company to run all ports with state-owned China Merchants Group to purchase a controlling stake.

[1] In 2016, cargo throughput for the Port of Dalian reached 355 million tons, which was up 5.5% from 2015.