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RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Global trade has recovered slightly – renewed conflicts in the Persian Gulf are dampening the outlook

Press release from the

The temporary framework agreement between the US and Iran, together with the brief reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has boosted global trade in June. The recovery in container throughput is thus continuing. However, the renewed flare-up of fighting in the Persian Gulf threatens to slow this positive trend once again.

Container throughput at international ports rose slightly in June 2026. The Container Throughput Index, calculated by the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute for Maritime Transport and Logistics (ISL), rose by 1.1 points from 142.0 (revised) to 143.1 index points. This marks a continuation of the recovery in container throughput following the energy price shock in the spring.

The framework agreement reached in mid-June had caused oil prices to fall again worldwide and raised hopes of a lasting resolution to the conflict. However, the renewed partial closure of this strategically important transport route has dashed these hopes for the time being.

Positive momentum across all major port regions

An increase in container throughput was observed across all regions of the world. The Nordrange Index, which is regarded as a leading indicator of economic development in the northern eurozone, particularly in Germany, rose slightly from 121.1 points (revised) to 121.5 points. The index for Chinese ports rose from 157.4 points (revised) to 159.1 points.The recovery in world trade is likely to continue

Fragile situation weighs on future global trade

Commenting on the trend in the container handling index, RWI Chief Economist Torsten Schmidt said: “We continue to expect significant fluctuations in global trade. Developments in June have made it clear that freight traffic will pick up again immediately as soon as the hostilities in the Persian Gulf come to an end and the price of oil falls. However, as long as the region remains in turmoil, supply chains will remain unstable and, ultimately, there is a risk of higher prices at the petrol station and on supermarket shelves.”

About the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index:

The RWI/ISL Container Handling Index for July 2026 will be published on 28 August 2026.

The index incorporates data on container throughput at 90 international ports, which account for around 64 per cent of global container throughput, collected on an ongoing basis as part of the ISL Monthly Container Port Monitor. The current flash estimate for the Container Throughput Index is based on data covering 73,0 per cent of the throughput represented in the index. As international trade is primarily conducted by sea, container throughput provides reliable insights into global trade. Because many ports report their activities just two weeks after the end of a month, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable leading indicator of trends in international trade in manufactured goods and, consequently, of global economic activity. The Container Throuput Index forms part of the foreign trade statistics in the Federal Statistical Office’s “Dashboard Deutschland”. It is also used by many international bodies, such as UNCTAD, and is included in the “Shipping/Port Data” section of the WTO’s Global Trade Data Portal.

Data series for individual ports are available in the ISL Monthly Container Port Monitor Further background information on the RWI/ISL Container Throuput Index can be found at www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.

Your contacts for this matter:

Prof. Dr. Torsten Schmidt, Phone: +49 201 8149-287, torsten.schmidt@rwi-essen.de

Alexander Schlösser (Communication), Phone: +49 201 8149-354, alexander.schloesser@rwi-essen.de 

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