A worker works in front of containers at a port in Shanghai, in this May 13, 2010 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

SHANGHAI - Shanghai overtook Singapore as the world's busiest container port in 2010, helped by continuing growth in Chinese trade and the business generated by the World Expo it hosted last year, the city government said.

Shanghai's port handled 29.05 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2010, the municipal government said in a statement on its website, citing a work meeting on turning Shanghai into a global shipping centre.

Related readings:  China COSCO sees significant growth in 2010 results  China's shipping company taps into Turkish market  Dalian Port shares up 26% in Shanghai debut  Shanghai port's container throughput tops the world Shanghai may pass Singapore as world's busiest port

That compared with the 28.4 million TEUs handled by the Port of Singapore in 2010, which was up 9.9 percent from 2009, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Shanghai's cargo throughput rose to around 650 million tonnes in 2010, maintaining its top global spot, according to the statement.

China's State Council, or cabinet, has set an aim of making Shanghai a leading shipping centre by 2020 - the same year by which the government hopes the city will become a global financial centre.

Shanghai will continue with a pilot project for export tax rebates, potentially expanding it, and is looking into developing shipping-price derivatives and an index on shipping prices, the city government said.

Shanghai's port is operated by Shanghai International Port (Group) Co.