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.

The Global Container Port Throughput Index rose 1.2% MoM in February 2023, but at 104.6 points was 3.2% lower than in February 2022. Growth in container handling across Greater China was insufficient to offset the steep YoY drops in container traffic in North America, Oceania and Europe.

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

The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index showed a 4.7% YoY increase in February 2023 to reach 97.4 points with largest annual increases reported by Guangzhou (0.24 mteu/15%) and Qingdao (0.22 mteu/13%). However, volumes at Shanghai fell 0.15 mteu/4% YoY and Shenzhen traffic was down 0.15 mteu/8.5% YoY in February 2023.

The European Container Port Throughput Index rose 7.1% MoM in February 2023, but remained 6.6% below the February 2022 levels. Port calls fell 43% YoY at Wilhelmshaven and 37% YoY at Zeebrugge in March 2023 due to reduced congestion at the major hubs. In the West Mediterranean, the 14% YoY downturn in Valencia container volumes was mainly due to a 23% YoY reduction in transhipment traffic.

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

The Oceania Container Port Throughput Index dropped 5% MoM in February 2023 to 97.5 points, down 16% YoY. The index has been trending downwards since August 2022. Throughput at Sydney fell 26% YoY in February 2023 to 0.18 mteu, the lowest monthly throughput since February 2017.
Source: Drewry