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.

Drewry's latest assessment

Drewry's Global Container Port Throughput Index decreased 1.1% MoM in July, but was up 4.1% YoY. As we progress through 2025, the global market has continued to outperform expectations, and as such Drewry further upgraded its full year growth forecast to 3.3% in August. However, with frontloading having played a significant role in 1H25 growth, we are beginning to see the early signs of the projected slowdown in 2H25. The strongest growth has been seen in the Middle East and South Asia region, where port throughput is up 7.8% YTD, closely followed by Europe which recorded a volume increase of 6.5% YTD.

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

The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.4% MoM in July 2025, but remained up 2.0% YoY. The 12-month average growth rate in Greater China slowed to 5.6%, below the global average of 6.1%. Some of the largest ports in the region are showing early signs of the anticipated slowdown: Shanghai's volumes slid 1.8% MoM in July, down 4.6% YoY, throughput at Ningbo decreased 4.1% MoM but remained ahead 6.7% YoY, while container traffic at Shenzhen grew 4.1% MoM in July but was down 1.1% YoY.

The North and Southeast Asia Container Port Throughput Index decreased 3.0% MoM in July to 120.4 points, but was up 3.7% YoY. However, the rolling 12-month average growth rate fell to 5.3%. In Southeast Asia, Singapore's throughput jumped 4.3% MoM (up 8.2% YoY) to a new monthly high. Laem Chabang also had a strong month, with volumes up 2.2% MoM and 10.4% YoY.

The North American Container Port Throughput Index spiked 8.3% MoM in July to 119.8 points, up 4.1% YoY to the highest point in over two years. The rollercoaster impact of the “on-off” tariff policy was very much in evidence at USWC ports – volumes at Long Beach surged 34% MoM (up 7% YoY), while those at Los Angeles grew by 14% MoM (up 8.5% YoY) to a new record, handling over 1 mteu in the month. Strong growth was experienced at other major US gateways including New York (up 15% MoM), Savannah (up 16% MoM), and Houston (up 18% MoM)—with shippers rushing to bring cargo into the US before the widescale tariff increases were implemented in early August.
Source: Drewry