RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade continues to be weak

The Container Throughput Index of RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose by 1.6 points to 119.2 in March, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest flash estimate. Container throughput increased strongly, especially in Chinese ports, but the data are distorted by the Chinese New Year.

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 117.6 (revised) to 119.2 points in March, seasonally adjusted.
• The North Range Index, which gives indications of economic developments in the northern euro area and Germany, actually rose somewhat more sharply in March from 106.0 (unchanged from the flash estimate) to 110.1 compared to the previous month.
• There was a strong increase in container throughput at Chinese ports. The index rose from 106.0 to 131.7. However, the data are still distorted by the Chinese New Year (see "Data for special evaluation excluding Chinese ports" under "Downloads" below).
• The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for April 2022 will be published on 30 May 2022.

Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI head of economic research Torsten Schmidt says: "Container throughput was only able to recover somewhat in March from the sharp decline in the previous month. This continues the weakness that began at the end of last year."

Source: RWI Essen, Photo: Fotolia