Container volumes in December handled by a selection of the top box ports worldwide increased "significantly" compared to the previous month, with the regular monthly index compiled by German researchers rising from a revised 117.9 to 119.9, according to Shipping Gazette.
December 2013 recorded the highest value since the index of 73 global container ports, accounting for 60 per cent of total container throughput worldwide, was first published two years ago by Rheinisch-Westfaelisches Institut (RWI) fuer Wirtschaftsforschung and the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL).
According to the authors of the index, December saw the sixth consecutive monthly increase, indicating "a rather pronounced expansion of international merchandise trade," reported Lloyd's List.
But the flash forecast for December is based on a sample of just 33 ports, handling a little less than half of the traffic represented in the index.
The November value was revised upwards by 0.5 points to 117.9 from the previous month.
"A large part of this revision is explained by a change of seasonal factors of the past months triggered by the inclusion of the December value," said the authors.
As more ports data for December is published, the authors of the index anticipate a "rather strong revision" during its next calculation.
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