By all appearances, global trade has extended slightly stronger again in June. This is indicated by the Container Throughput Index of the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI) and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), which increased from (unchanged) 121.3 to 123.2 points. Thus, the index reached the highest value observed to date.
The data for May remained unchanged compared to the flash estimate issued a month ago. The current flash estimate for June is based on data of 36 ports covering two-thirds of the container throughput represented in the index. Therefore, no major revisions are expected to be necessary.
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 July 2014 will be published on August, 22nd.
The data for May remained unchanged compared to the flash estimate issued a month ago. The current flash estimate for June is based on data of 36 ports covering two-thirds of the container throughput represented in the index. Therefore, no major revisions are expected to be necessary.
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 July 2014 will be published on August, 22nd.
