Marine ports are vital for integrating land and sea and for advancing the marine economy. Accelerating the construction of world-class marine ports is a crucial avenue for enhancing ports' comprehensive service capabilities, advancing the green, smart, and safe development of ports, and achieving high-quality port development. In light of China's practical needs for constructing world-class marine ports, this study identifies the basic characteristics and development trends of ports and reviews the current status and challenges faced by China. The study focuses on assessing the development goals for the near-to-medium term, medium-to-long term, and long-term phases in China's construction of world-class marine ports, and clarifies the key tasks involved, including the establishment of intelligent sensing networks, development of digital twin ports, application of new energy sources in port operations, construction of integrated energy systems at ports, risk assessment and early warning mechanisms for ports, integration of port‒industry‒city development, optimization of the international business environment, and establishment of multimodal transport networks. The study suggests that positive actions should be taken in strengthening port scientific and technological innovation, promoting the integrated development of port energy, improving the resilience of ports, strengthening modern shipping services, improving port hub functions, and promoting regional port clustering, so as to clarify the path for China's world-class marine port construction and promote high-quality development of the port industry.