Chinese ports are in a critical period of transforming development and realizing the transformation and upgrading. It is an urgent demand for the development of ports to scientifically define the influencing factors of transformation and upgrading. However, the factors influencing port transformation and upgrading are complex, multi-layered and difficult to quantify. In this article, various influencing factors and their relationships were ex- plored comprehensively, and a structural equation model for the influencing factors of transformation and up- grading of ports was established based on the sampling data and the questionnaire survey. The effect of each in- fluencing factor on port transformation and upgrading was quantitatively analyzed. Besides, a set of key factors were set up. The conclusion may provide theoretical and decision-making basis for port transformation and up- grading.