The Container Throughput Index of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) decreased slightly in June: The seasonally adjusted value dropped from 114.2 (revised) to 113.5. This indicates a continuation of the weak of international trade growth that had already been observed in the past months. Since the peak value in March 2012, the index shows a slightly decreasing trend, though the downward movement is not very pronounced.
The flash forecast for June is based on data from 28 ports representing roughly two thirds of the volume included in the Index. The index values for May and April were revised slightly downwards since the last publication of the index based on data received from the ports that were still missing last month.
The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more than 60% of world container handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the ISL as part of their market analysis. Because large parts of international 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 Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator for the development of international merchandise trade and hence for the activity of the global economy.
The flash forecast for June is based on data from 28 ports representing roughly two thirds of the volume included in the Index. The index values for May and April were revised slightly downwards since the last publication of the index based on data received from the ports that were still missing last month.
The Index is based on data for 72 international ports covering more than 60% of world container handling. These ports are continuously monitored by the ISL as part of their market analysis. Because large parts of international 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 Throughput Index is a reliable early indicator for the development of international merchandise trade and hence for the activity of the global economy.
