RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Weakness in container throughput continues

According to the latest flash estimate, the Container Throughput Index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) recovered slightly in November compared to the previous month to 122.9 points seasonally adjusted. However, this did not compensate for the noticeable decline in global container throughput in October. Moreover, the recovery was only attributable to Chinese ports. Container throughput continued to fall in all other regions of the world.

The most important facts in brief:

• The Container Throughput Index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose seasonally adjusted in November to 122.9 points compared to 120.9 points (revised) in the previous month.
• The increase is almost exclusively due to the Chinese ports. Container throughput there rose strongly from 129.1 to 134.3.
• The North Range Index, which gives indications of the economic development in the northern euro area and Germany, fell in November from 109.9 to 107.8 compared to the previous month.
• The RWI/ISL Container Handling Index for December 2022 will be published on 31 January 2023.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI Head of Economic Research Torsten Schmidt says: "The slight recovery in container throughput after the sharp decline in the previous month cannot hide the fact that the weak phase in world trade is continuing. European ports are particularly affected by this."

Source: RWI Essen, Photo: Fotoalia