In August, the Container Throughput Index of RWI and ISL declined by a noticeable amount. From a (revised) 118.3 points (July), the index dropped to 117.0 points (August). This could be partially attributable to the disaster in Chinese port Tianjin. Usually Tianjin contributes about 4 % to the handling volumes in the entire index. Here, volumes dropped 30 % in August, a decline which was only partially offset by increases in other Chinese ports. The main reason for the lower value of the RWI/ISL index in August however is the continuously sluggish expansion of world trade. The current flash estimate for August is based on 31 ports representing nearly two thirds of the throughput included in the index. The flash estimate for July has now been revised down by 0.3 points.

The index is based on data of 81 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.