Container Throughput Index: Global trade appears to be picking up
by David Fleschen
The Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) reached its highest level in the year in October 2018 at 134.6 points. At the same time, however, the figures for August were revised slightly downwards, and for September figures were significantly lower than the figures one month ago. In this respect, it remains open whether the recent value implies a revival of world trade or whether it is rather a technical backlash.
The index includes information on container handling at international ports, which is continuously collected by the ISL as part of its market monitoring. Since international trade is essentially handled by seagoing vessels, container handling allows reliable conclusions to be drawn about world trade. With many ports reporting on their activities as early as two weeks after the end of each month, the RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator of the development of international trade in processed goods and hence global economic activity. The index includes container handling data for 88 international ports, which account for about 60 percent of global container throughput. The flash estimate for October is based on data from 44 ports, which account for well over 85% of the index shown in the index.
The index includes information on container handling at international ports, which is continuously collected by the ISL as part of its market monitoring. Since international trade is essentially handled by seagoing vessels, container handling allows reliable conclusions to be drawn about world trade. With many ports reporting on their activities as early as two weeks after the end of each month, the RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator of the development of international trade in processed goods and hence global economic activity. The index includes container handling data for 88 international ports, which account for about 60 percent of global container throughput. The flash estimate for October is based on data from 44 ports, which account for well over 85% of the index shown in the index.
Source: RWI Institute, photo: fotoalia