RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World Trade Growing Again
The Container Throughput Index of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) significantly improved from (revised) 122.4 to 124.6 points in October. This can be seen as a first sign of a recovering global economy, particularly since the September value was revised upwards as well. However, a trend cannot yet be deducted therefrom: several increases which occurred during past months were immediately followed by declines.
September data were revised by 0.6 points upwards compared to the flash estimate issued on 22 October. Cause of the rather significant change is a re-estimation of the seasonal effects, which is associated with each update of the index. The original value of the indicator series, however, only altered slightly compared to September. The flash estimate for October is based on data from 37 ports, which account for about two-thirds of the container throughput reflected in the index.
The index is based on data of 75 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 November 2014 will be published on 19 December.
-------
Press contact:
Katharina Brach (press office), Tel.: +49 201 8149-244, e-mail
-------