RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Significant decline in Chinese ports

The Container Throughput Index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) fell by 0.5 points to 122.8 in April, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest flash estimate. Container throughput fell significantly, especially in Chinese ports. Outside China, however, it has recovered somewhat.

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 seasonally adjusted in April from 123.3 (revised) to 122.8 points.
• There was a sharp decline in container throughput, especially in the Chinese ports. The index fell from 132.5 to 130.2.
• The North Range Index, which gives indications of the economic development in the northern euro area and Germany, rose quite significantly in April compared to the previous month from 113.1 (revised) to 114.2.
• The RWI/ISL Container Handling Index for May 2022 will be published on 30 June 2022.

Commenting on the development of the container handling index, RWI head of economic research Torsten Schmidt says: "In many ports, the supply bottlenecks continued to ease in April. In contrast, the Chinese ports are already showing the consequences of the lockdown, which is again burdening international trade. The consequences will also be felt in Europe in a few weeks."

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia