
Since early 2012, the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) and the RWI – Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) are publishing a monthly index for global container throughput which aims to provide reliable conclusions on short term trends in worldwide economic activity. The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index uses the fact that international trade is primarily handled by ships and containers, which means the container throughput in ports is an important indicator of global trade. Currently, the database consists of 82 international ports covering more than 60% of world container handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the ISL as part of their market analysis.
February 2023 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Input Index: Strong downturn in Europe |
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January 2023 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Input Index: Weak start to the new year |
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December 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Revival of container throughput reaches Europe |
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November 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Container throughput remains weakened |
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October 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Sharp decline in container throughput indicates a weak phase in the global economy |
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September 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Global trade remains stable despite economic troubles |
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August 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Increasing Container Throughput indicates Easing of Tension of disturbed Supply Chains |
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July 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Container throughput stagnates |
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June 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: China continues to stimulate Global Trade |
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May 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Recovery of container throughput in spite of continously disturbed supply chains |
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April 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Significant Recession of Container Throughput in Chinese Ports |
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March 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade remains subdued |
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February 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Strong dampener for world trade |
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January 2022 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade returns to growth path |
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December 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: New strains on world trade loom in Chinese ports |
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November 2021 |
RWI/ISL- Container Throughput Index: Again strong impulses for the international container trade from China |
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October 2021 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: Recovery in China Carries International Container Trade |
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September 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Troughput Indes: Slight recovery with strong regional disparities |
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August 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Increasing container handlings in China lead stimulate international container trade |
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July 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Problems in China dampen international container traffic |
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June 2021 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: Upturn in Europe allows for container handling increase |
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May 2021 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: Sharp increase in container throughput continues |
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April 2021 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: Upturn in Europe allows for container throughput rise |
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March 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: lockdown dampens container handling in Europe |
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February 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade remains stable despite lockdown in Europe |
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January 2021 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade returns to growth path |
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December 2020 |
RWI / ISL container throughput index: Slight Weakening of World Trade |
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November 2020 |
RWI / ISL container throughput index: World trade recovery is weakening |
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October 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Strong increase in October |
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September 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade grows strongly, Index reaches all-time high |
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August 2020 |
RWI/ISL container handling index: World trade is reviving on a wide range |
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July 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Revival of world trade continues |
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June 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade is catching up again - regional differences remain large |
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May 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: The decline continues slower |
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April 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: 6.5 percent below previous year's value |
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March 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: normalization in China, further decline in the rest of the world |
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February 2020 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: sharp drop in February |
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January 2020 |
RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: Surprising increase in January - but narrow database |
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Dezember 2019 |
RWI/ISL-Containerumschlag-Index: Handelskonflikte belasten Welthandel zunehmend |
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November 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: trade conflicts impact on world trade |
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October 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Handling Index: World trade returns to growth |
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September 2019 |
RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: Despite a new high in the underlying trend rather sideways |
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August 2019 |
RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: Slight increase to new peak value |
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July 2019 |
RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: Peak value despite trade conflict |
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June 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Handling Index: Stagnating world trade |
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May 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade despite trade conflicts with upward trend |
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April 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: world trade in the red again |
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March 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: world trade recovering slightly |
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February 2019 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade declines considerably |
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January 2019 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index World remains at high level |
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December 2018 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index: World trade seems to defy protectionist measures so far |
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October 2018 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index indicating world trade revival |
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September 2018 |
The RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index has been decreasing two months in a row. |
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August 2018 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index indicates that world trade is stuck at current levels |
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July 2018 |
RWI/ISL- Container Throughput Index: World Trade stagnates since the beginning of the year |
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June 2018 |
RWI/ISL-Container Throughput Index receding slightly |
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May 2018 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index still showing upwards |
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April 2018 |
Index recovers slightly after March |
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March 2018 |
Index with clear downward movement on a high level |
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February 2018 |
Index with minor decline on a high overall level |
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January 2018 |
Index started off well in 2018 |
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December 2013 |
Growth accelerates |
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November 2013 |
Ongoing upward trend in world trade |
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October 2013 |
Signs of world trade upturn |
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September 2013 |
World trade still without zest |
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August 2013 |
No signs of a world trade upswing |
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July 2013 |
Weak expansion of world trade continues |
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June 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index down again in June |
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May 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index increased in May |
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April 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index down in April |
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March 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index improves slightly in March |
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February 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index slightly down in February as expected |
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January 2013 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index - Upswing continued in January |
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December 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index indicates strengthening world trade towards the end of the year |
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November 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index stagnates in November |
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October 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index falls again in October |
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September 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index shows notable increase in September |
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August 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index Down in August for the Third Time in a Row |
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July 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index has fallen again in July |
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June 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index slightly down in June |
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May 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index recovers from April low |
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April 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index has decreased slightly in April |
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March 2012 |
RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index increased markedly in March |
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February 2012 |
Further growth of global economic activity in February |
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January 2012 |
New RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index: Global economic activity is livening up |
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Calculating the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index

Calculating the indicator starts about 20 days after the end of each month. At that time, about 25 ports have already published information about the container throughput in the latest months, which allows for a flash estimate of the indicator. Data still missing are forecasted using statistical time series models. Thereafter, the data are added up and the sum is adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects. Furthermore, the trend-cycle component of the seasonally adjusted figures is estimated to eliminate irregular influences. One month later, as a rule data on 65 ports are available. Then an update of the figures already published is made and a new flash estimate for the latest month is released.

To form the index, the container throughput of the considered ports is initially added. Missing monthly data are forecasted using statistical methods. Then a first provisional index is derived from the result, which uses the year 2008 as a base and therefore assumes the value 100. The actual Container Throughput Index is then derived out of this row by adjusting seasonal influences and calendar effects. In addition to the seasonally adjusted value, the smoother trend-cycle component of the index is published, which is less sensitive to temporary distortions. An example of such a temporary factor is the Chinese New Year, which drops the handling in the major Chinese ports for container traffic to a minimum.
Calculations since 2007 show that the Container Throughput Index is very closely correlated with the data on world trade, which are published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In particular, during the financial and economic crisis in 2008/2009, the index provided reliable data. As the German economy is heavily export-oriented, the assessment of the international economy is an essential basis for analysis. Against this background, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index helps to forecast the German economy effectively.
Ports of the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index
Port |
Country |
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Cape Town |
South Africa |
Casablanca |
Morocco |
Durban |
South Africa |
Ngqura |
South Africa |
Tanger Med |
Morocco |
Port |
Country |
---|
Balboa |
Panama |
Buenaventura |
Colombia |
Buenos Aires |
Argentina |
Callao |
Peru |
Charleston |
USA |
Guayaquil |
Ecuador |
Houston |
USA |
Itajai |
Brazil |
Kingston |
JaMayca |
Lazaro Cardenas |
Mexico |
Long Beach |
USA |
Los Angeles |
USA |
Manzanillo |
Mexico |
Manzanillo |
Panama |
Montevideo |
Uruguay |
Montreal |
Canada |
New York/New Jersey |
USA |
Oakland |
USA |
Paranagua |
Brazil |
Port of Virginia |
USA |
San Antonio |
Chile |
Santos |
Brazil |
Savannah |
USA |
Tacoma/Seattle |
USA |
Valparaiso |
Chile |
Vancouver |
Canada |
Veracruz |
Mexico |
Port |
Country |
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Aden |
Yemen |
Ashdod |
Israel |
Bangkok |
Thailand |
Beirut |
Lebanon |
Busan |
South Korea |
Colombo |
Sri Lanka |
Dammam |
Saudi Arabia |
Guangzhou |
China |
Haifa |
Israel |
Hong Kong |
China |
Inchon |
South Korea |
Jeddah |
Saudi Arabia |
Kaohsiung |
Taiwan |
Keelung |
Taiwan |
Kobe |
Japan |
Kwangyang |
South Korea |
Laem Chabang |
Thailand |
Mersin |
Turkey |
Nagoya |
Japan |
Nhava Sheva |
India |
Ningbo |
China |
Osaka |
Japan |
Qingdao |
China |
Shanghai |
China |
Shenzhen |
China |
Singapore |
Singapore |
Taichung |
Taiwan |
Tianjin |
China |
Tokyo |
Japan |
Xiamen |
China |
Yokohama |
Japan |
Port |
Country |
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Algeciras - La Linea |
Spain |
Ambarli |
Turkey |
Barcelona |
Spain |
Bremen/Bremerhaven |
Germany |
Dublin |
Ireland |
Gdansk |
Poland |
Genoa |
Italy |
Hamburg |
Germany |
Helsinki |
Finland |
Klaipeda |
Lithuania |
Kotka |
Finland |
Lisbon |
Portugal |
St. Petersburg |
Russia |
Tallinn |
Estonia |
Valencia |
Spain |
Zeebrugge |
Belgium |
Port |
Country |
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Brisbane |
Australia |
Melbourne |
Australia |
Sydney |
Australia |
You will find details of individual ports in our Monthly Container Port Monitor