Effective and accurate prediction of port throughput provides a scientific basis for port planning and development. However, due to the complexity and diversity of factors affecting port throughput, such as the economic situation of port hinterland, competition between adjacent ports and the influence of world economy, the prediction methods of port throughput are also diversified. Therefore, this paper first expounds the background and significance of port throughput prediction. Then, the development history of port throughput prediction at home and abroad in recent years is summarized, and the influencing factors, prediction ideas, main prediction methods and application characteristics of port throughput prediction are extracted. At last, this paper sorts out the existing problems of port throughput prediction and makes directional expectation.