Drewry Global Container Port Throughput Indices

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

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Drewry’s latest assessment

• Drewry’s Global Container Port Throughput Index decreased 1.4% MoM in September, up 4.0% YoY. Meanwhile, the rolling 12-month average growth rate for global port handling fell to 5.9%. As 2025 progresses, overall YTD growth of 6.4% remains well ahead of the anticipated growth for the full year, which was raised to 4.8% in October. The growth continues to be driven by the Middle East and South Asia region, up 4.7% MoM and 8.4% YTD. Meanwhile, the slowdown in North America is becoming much more visible, down 1.0% YoY in September and up only 4.1% YTD.
  
• The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.1% MoM in September 2025, up 3.5% YoY. The 12-month average growth rate in Greater China fell to 5.4%, staying below the global average of 5.9%. Throughput in almost all the major ports in Greater China fell MoM in September, though most of them remain well ahead of last year. For example, Shanghai volumes fell 3.8% MoM, but were up 13.6% YoY. The Pearl River Delta ports were heavily impacted by Super Typhoon Ragasa in September. Shenzhen volumes fell 17.9% MoM, down 12.2% YoY, while at Guangzhou they fell 17% MoM, down 5.4% YoY. Hong Kong continues to weaken, with throughput falling 12.2% MoM, down 16.3% YoY.
  
• The North American Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.9% MoM in September to 115.5 points, down 1.0% YoY. The rolling 12-month average growth rate reduced to 5.6%, dropping below the global average of 5.9% for the first time since July 2024. Volumes at almost all major ports reduced in September as the peak season appears to have finished a couple of months earlier than usual. Throughput fell 11.6% MoM at Long Beach and 7.9% at Los Angeles. MoM dips were also recorded at Savannah (down 9%), Houston (down 8.8%), Norfolk (down 9.5%) and Charleston (down 7.7%).
  
• The European Container Port Throughput Index rose 2.1% MoM in September, up 6.0% YoY to 113.6 points. The rolling 12-month average growth rate remained at 6.6%, still ahead of the global average of 5.9%. Volumes at some of the major ports in North West Europe have been weaker than expected. September throughput at Antwerp was down 2.5% YoY. Bremerhaven saw volumes soften by 0.7% MoM, though it was up 5.0% YoY. On the other hand, volumes at Rotterdam rose 3.3% MoM, up 5.9% YoY in September.

* Note that the index figure for Africa is based on a relatively small sample, and so should be viewed with caution
# Index figures for Sep 2025 include some estimates of port throughput data which are subject to subsequent revision