During December, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index improved once more, climbing from a revised 118.0 to 118.8. As was assumed due to the comparatively small previous sample size for November 2015, the flash estimated was revised upwards significantly. Thus the positive outlook is now pronounced more clearly.

The December flash estimate is based on 38 ports, contributing only 54 % to the total volumes covered by the index. Due to December data for Chinese ports not yet available, significant revisions are possible here.

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.

The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for December 2015 will be published on 23 February 23.

--------------

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Roland Döhrn, Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-262 e-mail
Katharina Fischer (Press office RWI), Tel.: +49 (0201) 8149-244, e-mail