RWI/ISL Container Throughput Input Index

Container throughput weakens in final quarter

19.12.2024

According to the latest flash estimate by the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), the Container Throughput Index remained almost constant in November at a seasonally adjusted 131.9 points compared to the previous month. However, container throughput in the European ports rose sharply once again. There was also an upward trend in the other regions of the world. In contrast, it fell significantly in the Chinese ports.

The essence in a nutshell:

  • The seasonally adjusted Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) remained almost constant in November at 131.9 points compared to 131.8 points (revised) in the previous month.
  • The North Range Index, which gives an indication of economic development in the northern eurozone and Germany, rose sharply in November compared to the previous month from 114.5 (revised) to 115.9 points.
  • In the Chinese ports, container throughput fell significantly from 142.2 points in the previous month to 141.1 points.
  • The RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for December 2024 will be published on 31 January 2025.

 

Torsten Schmidt

RWI’s head of economic research
Container throughput remains weak in November. This weakness is mainly due to the Chinese ports. Container throughput there has been falling continuously since August. In the European ports, on the other hand, the recovery is continuing.

About the RWI/ISL- Container Throughput Index

The index takes into account container throughput data continuously collected on an ongoing basis by the ISL Monthly Container Port Monitor at 92 international ports, representing approximately 64% of global container throughput. The present flash estimate for the Container Throughput Index relies on data representing approximately 47% of the throughput represented in the index. Since international trade is mainly handles by sea, the development of container throughput provides reliable insights into global merchandise trade. As many ports already report their data a fortnight after the end of each month, the RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator of the international merchandise trade and hence also of global economic activity. 

The Container Troughput Index is used by many international bodies such as UNCTAD and is included in the Shipping/Port Data section of the WTO’s Global Trade Data Portal.

Data series for individual ports are available in the ISL Monthly Container Port Monitor.

RWI/ISL- Container Throughput Index: Container throughput weakens in final quarter