Drewry’s latest assessment - September 2018

• In July 2018, the global container port throughput index regained the level of 131 points after witnessing nearly 4 points decline in June 2018 . The index is 5 points (3.6%) higher than July 2017 level of 126.4 points, suggesting a slowing of global growth.
• All regions generated monthly as well as annual increases in July 2018. However, the largest region (China) witnessed less than 2% monthly and annual increases, lower than all other world regions’ growth. It may be the case that the imposing of tariffs by the US is beginning to bite. This was the lowest annual increase for China in the month of July since the inception of Drewry’s Index i.e. Jan 2012.
• The index for Asia (excl China) was around 2% higher compared with June 2018 but the annual increase was much higher at 6% (7.5 points), suggesting some degree of alternative sourcing in the face of US tariffs on China.
• The indices for Latin America and Africa increased by close to 6% in July 2018. However the annual increase for Latin America was less than one percent whereas for Africa it was more than 4%.
• North America and Europe both showed close to 6% annual inrease but it was close to 3% (4 points) more when compared to June 2018.

* Note that the index figures for Africa are based on a relatively small sample, and should be viewed with caution
# All index figures for July are preliminary, subject to change next month