The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index has improved again in November. It rose from its October value of 117.0 to 117.4. At the same time, the September value was slightly revised upwards as some ports retroactively published higher handling volumes than in the previously reported preliminary data. The Index thereby increased for the fifth month in a row, hence confirming that the international merchandise exchange has left behind the period of stagnation. However, the upward momentum is not very pronounced yet.

The October value remained unchanged from the flash forecast published last month. The current flash forecast was carried out somewhat earlier than usually due to the upcoming holiday season. It hence only includes 40 ports representing roughly 72% of the container handling included in the Index. This could mean that the November value may have to be revised more strongly than normally during its next computation.

The Index is based on data of 73 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.

The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for December 2013 will be published on 22 January 2014.

Contact:
Katharina Brach (press office): 0049-201-8149-244, e-mail

Chart in high resolution

Data

Further information: www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.