In November, the Container Throughput Index of the Rhine-Westphalia Institute for Economic Research (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has improved slightly. It has increased from 117.2 (revised) to 117.6. However, the index for October was revised downwards noticeably by 0.7 points compared with the flash estimate. Nevertheless, the index now rises the second month in a row.

However, the quick estimate for November rests merely on entries of 30 ports that effect about 65% of the transshipment covered by the index. Hence, greater revisions are also possible this time. In October, an erroneous entry also contributed to the relatively strong revision of the index compared with the quick estimate.

The index is based on data of 81 world container ports covering approximately 60% of worldwide container handling. The ports are continuously monitored by the 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.

--------------

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn, Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-262 e-mail
Katharina Fischer (Press office RWI), Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-244, e-mail