RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Slight recovery in international trade

The Container Throughput Index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has risen by 1.1 points to 124.8 in September, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest flash estimate. The increase in global container throughput masks major regional differences. While throughput declined in Chinese ports, it increased strongly in 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) rose from 123.7 (revised) to 124.8 points in September after seasonal adjustment.
• Container throughput in Chinese ports fell significantly. The index fell from 131.3 to 128.0 (see "Data for special evaluation excluding Chinese ports" under "Downloads" below).
• The North Range Index, which provides an indication of economic developments in the northern euro area and Germany, rose sharply in September from 113.5 (revised) to 119.3 compared with the previous month. This compensates for the decline in recent months.
• The RWI/ISL container throughput index for October 2021 will be published on November 30, 2021.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI Head of Economic Research Torsten Schmidt says: "Container throughput continues to recover from the weakness during the summer months. However, global trade is still not running smoothly. Container throughput is still very volatile in the various regions of the world."

Source: RWI