RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index Indicating Ongoing Weakness in Global Container Trade

The index has now been falling since February 2015. The flash estimate for June is based on data for 41 ports, which combined account for almost 73% of the total index volume. The estimate is hence unlikely to be subject to major revisions and suggests a setback for world trade. May’s index value only had to be revised by 0.3 percent – which is significantly lower than the long-term average of 0.6 percent for these revisions.

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 July 2015 will be published on 25 August.

Contact:

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

http://en.rwi-essen.de/forschung-und-beratung/wachstum-konjunktur-oeffentliche-f… – Background information