The Drewry Container Port Throughput Indices are a series of calendar adjusted volume growth/decline indices based on monthly throughput data for a sample of over 340 ports worldwide, representing over 80% of global volumes. The base point for the indices is January 2019 = 100.

Drewry has developed a nowcasting model that uses vessel capacity and terminal duration data (derived from our proprietary AIS model) to make short-term predictions of port throughput.

Source: Drewry Ports and Terminals Insight (Jan 2019 = 100, calendar adjusted)

The MoM fall in volumes in October 2023 across major regions except Latin America resulted in a 3.4% MoM decline in the Global Container Port Throughput Index to 108.8 points, 1.9% above October 2022. The Index is anticipated to have remained stable in November 2023, up just 0.6% MoM and 2.0% YoY, as indicated by Drewry’s Nowcasting Model.

The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index fell 6.4% MoM in October 2023 to 109.3 points, an increase of 1.7% YoY. The 12-month average growth rate in Greater China slowed to 3.8% in October 2023 but remained well above the -0.6% global average growth rate. Drewry’s Nowcast Model indicates a 5.2% MoM / 2.7% YoY increase in volumes for November 2023.

The North American Container Port Throughput Index dropped 2.4% MoM in October to 106.7 points, marking a reversal from the 7.1% MoM rise recorded in September. Drewry’s Nowcasting Model estimates that the index will have fallen a further 4.9% in November 2023, but despite this the rolling 12-month average growth rate is expected to have improved slightly to -12.1%.

* Note that the index figure for Africa is based on a relatively small sample, and so should be viewed with caution
# Index figures for Oct 2023 are based on partial data; figures for Nov 2023 are nowcast estimates based on AIS data; data for both periods are subject to subsequent revision

The European Container Port Throughput Index fell 0.3% MoM to 100.8 points in October 2023, but remained 1.6% higher than the previous year. The rolling 12-month average growth rate improved slightly to -5.0% in October 2023, up from –5.6% in September..
Source: Drewry