The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index has improved slightly from a revised 116.4 in February to 116.8 in March after seasonal adjustment. It still falls short of its January high, but this does not come as a surprise. The dip in Chinese container exports in February caused by the Chinese New Year holidays dampens volumes in the ports of destination in March. Apart from this peculiarity, the data indicates that the underlying trend of world trade is still positive.

The February was revised slightly downwards by 0.3 points. The amplitude of the revision was below average. The current flash forecast for March is based on a sample of 42 ports handling roughly 75% of the traffic represented in the Index.

The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more roughly 60% of world container handling. These 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.

The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for April 2013 will be published on May 23rd.

For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn (RWI), Tel.: +49 201 81 49-262, email
Dr. Sönke Maatsch (ISL), Tel.: +49 421 220 96-32, email
Sabine Weiler (Press Office RWI), Tel.: +49 0201 81 49-213, email

Chart in printable version

Data

Further information about the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is available at www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.