Drewry’s latest assessment - July 2018

• In May 2018, the global container port throughput index witnessed a more than five-point increase compared to April 2018 and reached 130.6 points. On an annual comparison, the index is almost five points higher than the May 2017 level of 126.1 points. The May 2018 index is the highest since the inception of Drewry Container Port Throughput Index (Jan 2012).
• All regions witnessed monthly as well as an annual increase (except Latin America) in May 2018. The China and North America throughput indices reached an all-time high level of 140 and 139 points in May 2018 which was 8.1% (10.4 points) and 3.8% (5.1 points) up compared with April 2018. Howerer the annual increase was slightly lower at 2.8% (3.7 points) and 4.6% (6.1 points).
• Asia excl. China witnessed the second largest increase (after North America) in May 2018. The index reached 128.3 points in May 2018 which was 5.4% (6.6 points) up monthly and 4.1% (5 points) more when compared with May 2017.
• Latin America and Africa both witnessed around one point monthly increase in the May 2018 index. The annual increase for Africa is much higher at 8% compared to no increase in Latin America. However, the index for Africa is based on a relatively small sample.
• Europe showed close to 2% (2 points) monthly increase where the index reached to 120 points in May 2018, however it was 3% up compared to May 2017.

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