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RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: Upturn in Europe allows for container handling increase

According to the latest flash estimate, the Container Throughout Index of RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Insitute for Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose only by a seasonally-adjusted 1.1 points in June to 126.4. Growth was distributed relatively evenly across the globe.

According to the latest flash estimate, the Container Throughout Index of RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Insitute for Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose only by a seasonally-adjusted 1.1 points in June to 126.4. Growth was distributed relatively evenly across the globe.

Grafik Entwicklung RWI/ISL-Containerumschlag-Index

The essence in a nutshell:

• The Container Throughout Index of RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose slightly in seasonally-adjusted terms from 125.3 (revised) to 126.4 in June. Due to already strained capacities, throughput grew only slightly.

• The North Range Index, which gives an indication of economic developments in the northern euro area and Germany, had a significant share of the container throughput increase. Compared to the previous month, it increased in June from 116.8 (revised) to 118.4, somewhat more than the total index.

• After a temporary slump, throughout in Chinese ports grew again compared to the previous month.

• The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for July 2021 will be published on 26 August 2021.

Commenting on the development of the Container Throughput Index, RWI’s head of economic research, Torsten Schmidt says, “the capacities in container trade are currently severely stressed. Accordingly, worldwide trade may remain susceptible to disruptions for some time”

About the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index:

The index includes data on container throughput in 91 international ports continuously collected by the ISL as part of its market observation. They account for around 60 percent of global container traffic. Since international trade is mainly handled by sea, reliable conclusions can be drawn from container port throughput on world trade. As many ports already report on their activities two weeks after the end of a month, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator of the development of international manufactures trade and thus also of global economic activity.

Data series for individual ports are available in the ISL Monthly Container Port Monitor.
For more background information on the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index, visit www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.

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Your contact persons:

Prof. Dr. Torsten Schmidt, Phone: +49 201 8149-287, torsten.schmidt@rwi-essen.de
Sabine Weiler (Communication), Phone: +49 201 8149-213, sabine.weiler@rwi-essen.de

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Data Container Throughput Index and Northrange Index

Graphic Container Throughput Index in printable resolution 

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RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Northrange

Grafik Entwicklung RWI/ISL-Containerumschlag-Index Nordrange

Graphic in printable resolution

Data special evaluation excluding chinese ports