The seasonally adjusted RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index changed only slightly in November. It increased from a corrected 112.2 to 112.5 and confirms the weak underlying growth of world merchandise trade. The Index value for October changed by 0.7 points from 112.9 to 112.2. The order of magnitude of this correction is in line with the average correction observed between the flash forecasts and the first index values based on a broader sample during the past 12 months. The current flash forecast is based on a sample of 32 ports handling 70% 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 December will be published on January 24th 2013.

For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn (RWI), Tel.: +49 201 81 49-262, email
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.