During October, the Container Throughput Index of RWI and ISL improved slightly. From a (revised) 117.3, the index climbed to 117.9. It remains to be seen whether this will hold up as an indicator for an increase in the dynamic of world trade. Gradual improvements during singular months have also been observed during previous downturns – without implying a turnaround of the demand development.

The current flash estimate for October is based on 47 ports, representing roughly 77 % of the container handling included in the index. The flash estimate for September has been revised up by 0.1 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.

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Contact:

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