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 235 ports worldwide, representing over 75% of global volumes. The base point for the indices is January 2012 = 100.

Source: Drewry Ports and Terminals Insight (Jan 2012 = 100, calendar adjusted)

Drewry’s latest assessment - July 2022

The Drewry Global Port Throughput Index increased 1.4% MoM in May 2022 to reach 143.4 points, the highest level since June 2021. While volumes were up on monthly basis, the annual comparison was neutral at 0.1% YoY.

Despite Covid lockdowns through May, the Greater China region was the primary driver of world throughput growth, contributing about 70% of the overall monthly increase, making up for shortfalls elsewhere in Asia and modest growth in other regions. Two out of the top three ports, Ningbo & Qingdao, witnessed double-digit annual growth in May 2022. After a 25% decline in a single month in April 2022, Shanghai also started gaining volumes in May 22 and witnessed 10% MoM growth.

North America witnessed annual (1.4%) as well monthly (2.5%) growth in May 2022. Port of Savannah handled record volumes and crossed the half million teu mark for the first time in May 2022, because of a surge in imports and backlogs at west coast ports which have prompted shippers to reroute goods through the east coast.

* Based on a relatively small sample, and should be viewed with caution

# All index figures for May 2022 are preliminary, subject to change next month