Container flows on a stable high
The Container Throughput Index published by RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) shows a slight, seasonally adjusted increase from (revised) 121.4 to 122.6 in March. Overall, the indicator has thus been moving sideways for six months.
By contrast, the North Range Index, which provides information on economic developments in northern Europe, fell sharply from (revised) 111.1 to 108.8, meaning that container throughput is now showing clearer signs of strain from the lockdown in many European countries. In the Chinese ports, throughput was slightly up on the previous month. The RWI/ISL container throughput index for April 2021 will be published on 27 May 2021.
RWI head of economic research Torsten Schmidt expects the North Range index to rise due to "the progress made in the vaccination campaigns, which will then also stimulate international trade." (cd)