Container Throughput Index: Recovery in China is carrying international trade

According to the latest flash estimate, the container throughput index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose by one point to 123.3 in October after seasonal adjustment. The increase in the index was due to a strong expansion in Chinese ports.

Key points in a nutshell:

• The container throughput index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose seasonally adjusted in October from 122.3 (revised) to 123.3 points.
• Container throughput increased strongly in Chinese ports. The index increased from 128.5 to 131.7 (see "Data for special analysis excluding Chinese ports" under "Downloads" below). Outside China, however, the container throughput index fell collectively.
• The North Range Index, which provides an indication of economic developments in the northern euro area and Germany, fell in October from 114.3 (revised) to 113.1 compared with the previous month.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI's Head of Business Cycle Torsten Schmidt says: "Container throughput has been treading water for several months. The renewed increase in the number of corona infections does not suggest that the container throughput index will soon return to its positive pre-crisis trend."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia