As expected last month, the Container Throughput Index of RWI and ISL dropped significantly. After a sharp increase in February due to special factors, the index returned to its January value of 119.1 points. The quarterly averages are currently easier to interpret. With 120.9 points, the index was slightly stronger in the first quarter of 2015 than in the last quarter of 2014. This indicates a moderate positive trend in world merchandise trade. The current flash forecast is based on 34 ports representing 70 % of the volume covered by the index.

As part of the regular revisions, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index restructured for the present issue. Six new ports are now part of the index: Callao (Peru), Nhava Sheva (India), Ashdod and Haifa (both Israel), Osaka (Japan) and Colombo (Sri Lanka). At the same time, to the “Seaports Alliance” between Seattle and Tacoma, these ports are now included as one unit. Furthermore, the index is now calculated with 2010 as the base year. This simplifies comparison with other indices of economic activity that are mostly published using the basis 2010=100. Minor revisions in 2007 are due to an updated method for estimating missing values. These changes only have a minor impact on the development of the index.

The index now includes 81 ports representing approximately 60% of worldwide container handling. Because large parts of international merchandise trade are transported by ship, port handling is a good indicator for the development of 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 2015 will be published on 21 May.

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Contact:

Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn, Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-262 E-Mail
Katharina Brach (Pressestelle RWI), Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-244, E-Mail