Economic revival in Europe causes container throughput to rise

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 2.4 points to 127.1 in April after seasonal adjustment. The European ports included in the North Range Index made a significant contribution. The value of the index rose 3.5 points to 120.4.

The most important facts in brief:

• The container throughput index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), seasonally adjusted, rose slightly in April from (revised) 124.7 to 127.1. After a brief breather in the winter, this is the second time in a row that the index has risen quite significantly.
• The North Range Index, which provides indications of economic developments in the northern euro area and Germany, has played a significant role in the increase in container throughput. It rose much more than the overall index in April, from (revised) 116.9 to 120.4 compared to the previous month. It appears that the easing of infection control measures is also contributing to stronger container throughput.
• At Chinese ports, throughput was unchanged from the previous month.

The RWI/ISL container throughput index for May 2021 will be released on June 24, 2021.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI head of economic research Torsten Schmidt says: "The increase in the North Range index indicates that economic activity in the euro area countries is also recovering from the setback of the first quarter."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia