RWI Index: Disruptions in the Red Sea impact container throughput

According to the latest flash estimate, the Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose slightly in January to a seasonally adjusted 126.5 points compared to the previous month. However, this increase is exclusively attributable to the Chinese ports, where the index is distorted by the New Year celebrations at the beginning of the year. Container throughput fell in all other regions of the world. The rather sharp decline in the European ports is probably also due to the attacks in the Red Sea, which are causing many cargo ships to take a diversion around Africa.

The most important facts in brief:

• The Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose slightly in January to 126.5 points (seasonally adjusted) compared to 125.7 points (revised).
• Container throughput in the Chinese ports rose sharply. The index value increased from 137.0 to 142.8 points. However, it should be noted that the figures may be distorted by the Chinese New Year.
• The North Range Index, which provides an indication of economic development in the northern eurozone and Germany, fell significantly in January compared to the previous month from 101.5 (revised) to 99.4 points .
• The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for February 2024 will be published on 28 March 2024.

Commenting on the development of the Container Throughput Index, RWI Head of Economic Research Torsten Schmidt says: "Global container throughput continues to trend upwards at the start of the year. The international tensions and the tendency for supply chains to become more regional again mean that container throughput is unlikely to recover further overall. However, this possibility still exists in the eurozone countries."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia