RWI/ISL Index: Container throughput stable at the end of the year

The Container Throughput Index published by the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose only slightly to a seasonally adjusted 124.5 points in November according to the latest flash estimate. Container throughput declined in the Chinese and European ports. The increase is primarily due to higher throughput in the other Asian ports.

The most important facts in brief:

•     The seasonally adjusted Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) was only slightly higher in November than in the previous month at 124.5 points compared to 123.7 points (revised).
•     In the Chinese ports, however, container throughput fell slightly. The index value fell from 135.9 to 135.3 points.
•     The North Range Index, which provides an indication of economic development in the northern eurozone and Germany, fell significantly again in November compared to the previous month from 103.7 (revised) to 101.0 points.
•     The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for December 2023 will be published on 31 January 2024.

Commenting on the development of the Container Throughput Index, RWI Chief Economist Torsten Schmidt says: "Global container throughput is largely treading water at the end of the year. For Europe, the sharp decline points to another dip in foreign trade in the final quarter. If the route through the Suez Canal is cancelled for an extended period following the attacks on container ships, this is not good news for global trade either."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia