RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Sharp decline in container throughput

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) fell significantly in October compared to the previous month to a seasonally adjusted 120.8 points. A decline in container throughput was observed in all world regions, but it was particularly marked in Northern European ports.

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) fell significantly in October, seasonally adjusted, to 120.8 points compared to 124.2 points (revised) in the previous month.
• In the Chinese ports, the decline in container throughput was somewhat less than overall. The index value for Chinese ports fell from 130.8 to 129.3.
• The North Range Index, which gives indications of economic development in the northern euro area and Germany, fell much more sharply in October compared to the previous month, from 115.0 to 108.4.
• The RWI/ISL Container Handling Index for November 2022 will be published on 22 December 2022.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI head of economic research Torsten Schmidt says: "The quite significant decline in container throughput in October could indicate the start of a weak phase in the global economy in the winter half-year. The sharp rise in energy prices is weighing on production worldwide and is now likely to affect global trade as well."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia