The sideward movement of world trade observed since early 2013 continued in September, as evidenced by the latest RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index. With 116.2 points, the September index exactly matches last year’s value. It is the first time that we observe such a long-lasting stagnation. The development indicates that the annual average expansion of world trade will be weak in 2013.

The index for August was revised upwards by only 0.2 points. The current September flash forecast draws on a relatively solid sample of 50 ports covering roughly 84% of the container throughput covered by the Index.

The Index is based on data of 73 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 October 2013 will be published on 21 November 2013.

Contact:
Katharina Brach (press office): 0049-201-8149-244, e-mail

Chart in high resolution

Data

Further information: www.rwi-essen.de/containerindex.