The February was revised slightly downwards by 0.3 points. The amplitude of the revision was below average. The current flash forecast for March is based on a sample of 42 ports handling roughly 75% of the traffic represented in the Index.
The Index is based on data of world container ports which 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 April 2013 will be published on May 23rd.