Container Throughput Index has increased markedly in March
In March, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index has increased markedly to 114.1 from 111.6 in February, indicating that the increase in world merchandise trade has gained momentum. Now it is on an upward trend since November 2011. The flash forecast for March is based upon data of 34 ports which represent about 65% of the total volume covered by the Index. The February data released one month ago were revised slightly downward, but they still show an increase against the month before.
The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more than 60% of world container handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) as part of their market analysis. Because large parts of international merchandise trade are transported by ship, the development of port handling is a good indicator for world trade. As many ports release information about their activities only two weeks after the end of the respective month, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator for the development of international merchandise trade and hence for the activity of the global economy.
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn (RWI), Tel.: +49 201 81 49-262, email
Sönke Maatsch (ISL), Tel.: +49 421 220 96-32, email
Sabine Weiler (Press Office RWI), Tel.: +49 0201 81 49-213, email
Further information about the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is available at www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.