RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: Trade conflicts increasingly burden global trade

The container handling index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute for Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) fell again significantly in December according to the current flash estimate. At 134.1, it is 4.7 points below the September high.

The main results:

· The container handling index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute for Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) fell again significantly in December by 1.9 points to 134.1.

· At the same time, the value for November was revised downwards by 1.7 points compared to the flash estimate. The reason was unexpectedly unfavorable values ​​of some Chinese ports.

· The negative effects of trade conflicts on world trade are becoming increasingly apparent.

Envelopes in Chinese ports are now falling, after having previously declined primarily in ports on the west coast of the United States.

· The flash estimate for November is based on the data for 45 ports, which account for a good 70 percent of the throughput volume shown in the index.

· The RWI / ISL container handling index for January 2020 will be published on February 25, 2020.

Regarding the development of the index, RWI business manager Roland Döhrn says: “Container handling is currently showing the strongest decline since autumn 2008, ie since the Great Recession. The trade conflict between China and the USA is increasingly reflected in the exchange of goods between the two countries. "

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia