The Container H andling Index of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has i ncreased again in February, which indicates a further boost in international me rchandise trade. The seasonally adjusted index value rose from 111.2 in January to the current value of 111.9. Altogether, the Index has improved about 4% since last year"s Nove mber. The appro ximation for February is based upon data of 21 ports which have already r eleased February data and which represent more than half of the total volume covered by the Index. The approximation for January 2012 was confirmed by the extended sample.
The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more than 60% of world co ntainer handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the ISL as part of their market analysis. Because large parts of internatio nal merchandise trade are transported by ship, the development of port handling is a good indicator for world trade. As many ports release information about their activities only two weeks after the end of the respective month, the RWI/ISL Container Through put Index is a reliable early indicator for the development of international merchandise trade and hence for the activity of the global economy.
The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more than 60% of world co ntainer handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the ISL as part of their market analysis. Because large parts of internatio nal merchandise trade are transported by ship, the development of port handling is a good indicator for world trade. As many ports release information about their activities only two weeks after the end of the respective month, the RWI/ISL Container Through put Index is a reliable early indicator for the development of international merchandise trade and hence for the activity of the global economy.
