Mixed picture for global container throughput
The container throughput index of the RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) rose by 1.6 points (seasonally adjusted) to 125.1 in May, according to the current flash estimate. The value of the Chinese ports' index was hit by recent developments in Ningbo, decreasing by 4.8 points to 125.8.
The European North Range Index balanced the downward trend and showed a significant upturn, climbing by 119.7 (revised) to 123.7. At this very moment, European trade lines are so far not impacted by Chinese backlogs. The RWI/ISL container throughput index for August 2021 will be published on 28 September 2021.
Commenting on the development of the container throughput index, RWI's head of economic research Torsten Schmidt says: "The delivery problems in the Chinese ports are slowing down international container throughput. It will take a few weeks before the consequences are also felt in Europe. This could exacerbate the bottlenecks in some sectors." (cd)