RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: stagnant world trade

by David Fleschen

According to the current flash estimate, the container turnover index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) remains at a stable level of 137.1 in June.

The most important results:

• The container turnover index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) remains virtually unchanged from the previous month at 137.1 according to the current flash estimate in June.

• At the same time, the May value has been revised downwards from 138.5 to 137.0. The current major revisions reflect a high volatility of container handling in each port, which affects the accuracy of the flash estimate.

• The more meaningful quarterly comparison for the second quarter is just 0.2 percent up on the first quarter, with the index more or less stagnating for the past nine months.

• The flash estimate for June is based on data from 42 ports, which account for about 73 percent of the index shown in the index.

• The RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index for July 2019 will be published on August 22, 2019.

Regarding the development of the index, RWI Chief Economist Roland Döhrn says: "Overall, world trade has stagnated for nine months now. Trade tensions are currently reflected in large fluctuations in container throughput in each port. Short-term assessments of world trade are made more difficult. "
 
Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia

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