Container Throughput Index: World trade returns to growth path

The container throughput index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has risen slightly to now 120.8 according to the latest flash estimate in January. Container throughput thus appears to be returning to the growth path of before the Corona crisis.

The key points in brief:

The container throughput index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose slightly in seasonally adjusted terms in January from (revised) 119.1 to 120.8. The Chinese ports in particular saw a significant expansion in throughput. In the other ports, container throughput increased only moderately.
The North Range Index, which provides indications of economic development in the northern euro zone and Germany, also expanded more strongly than the overall index, from (revised) 114.8 to 117.9. This indicator is also returning to the growth path of before the Corona crisis.
The RWI/ISL container throughput index for February 2021 will be released on March 30, 2021.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI Head of Economic Research Torsten Schmidt says: "At the beginning of this year, rising demand, especially from China, is again supporting global trade and thus also German exports. World trade seems to be returning to its pre-Corona crisis growth path."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia