The Container Throughput Index of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has slightly increased from (revised) 121.4 to 122.0 points in August. Despite this increase, the level of June was not reached again. The current value roughly corresponds to the average of the past six months, which indicates a further unclear trend of global trade.
The data for July were revised by 0.5 points down compared to the flash estimate a month ago, which corresponds with the long term average. The flash estimate for August is based on data from 32 ports, covering a total of about 65% of container throughput shown in the index.
The index is based on data of 75 world container ports covering approximately 60% of worldwide container handling. The 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 RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for September 2014 will be published on October, 22nd.
The data for July were revised by 0.5 points down compared to the flash estimate a month ago, which corresponds with the long term average. The flash estimate for August is based on data from 32 ports, covering a total of about 65% of container throughput shown in the index.
The index is based on data of 75 world container ports covering approximately 60% of worldwide container handling. The 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 RWI/ISL Container Throughput Index for September 2014 will be published on October, 22nd.
