RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index: World trade with upward trend

by David Fleschen

The container turnover index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has risen to 138.5 according to the current flash estimate in May. This indicates an unexpectedly robust international economy.


The most important results:

• The Container Throughput Index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) has risen to 138.5 according to the current flash estimate in May.

• At the same time, the April value has been revised unusually high from 134.7 to 137.4. The main reason for this is an upward revision of the data for some Chinese ports.

• Following this revision, the index has been slightly upwards in recent months. Consequences of the trade conflicts are isolated but quite recognizable. Thus, the cargo handling in Iran's port of Bandar Abbas has fallen dramatically as a result of US sanctions.

• The flash estimate for May is based on data from 48 ports, which account for approximately 77% of the turnover shown in the index.

• The RWI / ISL Container Throughput Index for June 2019 will be published on July 23, 2019.

RWI CEO Roland Döhrn comments on the development of the index: "The May value was surprisingly high. Perhaps the international economy is more robust than previously expected, with first-quarter GDP rates also speaking. "

Source: RWI, Photo: Fotolia

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