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.
Drewry’s Global Container Port Throughput Index decreased 2.0% MoM in December, but at 113.7 points was 5.4% higher YoY. The rolling 12-month growth rate for global port handling rose to 6.1%. According to Drewry’s Nowcast model, the Global Port Throughput Index is anticipated to have fallen 1.8% MoM in January 2025.
The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index fell 4.5% MoM to 114.9 points in December, up 3.4% YoY. Volume growth in 4Q24 was muted compared to the prior year, apart from Ningbo, which handled an exceptional 21.6% more cargo than 4Q23. Volumes at Shanghai and Hong Kong were disappointing with 4.3% and 2.7% less throughput than last year.
The North American Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.4% MoM in December to 111.2 points, up 10.5% YoY. The rolling 12-month average growth rate increased slightly to 10.6%. US West Coast ports had an excellent last quarter. 4Q24 volumes at Long Beach were up 24.4% YoY, with Los Angeles not far behind at 21.5%.
Although the Latin America Container Port Throughput Index fell 0.3% MoM in December, it remained up 8.2% YoY. The rolling 12-month average growth rate increased to 11.1%, continuing to track at nearly double the global average of 6.1%. The combined throughput of the five Panama container terminals rose 7.9% in December, while volumes at Santos were up 8.9% YoY.