Drewry’s Global Container Port Throughput Index increased 2.0% MoM in November, up 6.0% YoY, while the rolling 12-month average growth rate for global port handling remained stable at 6.1%. On a YTD basis the strongest growth has been recorded for Middle East and South Asia region (+7.8% YTD), Africa (+7.3% YTD) and Latin America (+7.0% YTD).

• The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index rose 3.5% MoM in November, up 6.7% YoY. Although the 12-month average growth rate in Greater China rose to 5.7%, this remained below the global average of 6.1%. Although the majority of the major ports of Greater China saw MoM throughput declines in November, all of them (except Hong Kong) remain ahead of last year. Volumes fell at the largest ports, including Shanghai (down 0.9% MoM), Ningbo (down 2.1% MoM) and Qingdao (down 0.8% MoM). However, Guangzhou continues to capture additional volumes with throughput growing 7.3% MoM in November, up 15.0% YoY.
• The North American Container Port Throughput Index rose 0.4% MoM in November to 111.1 points, but it dropped 3.8% YoY and the rolling 12-month average growth rate reduced to 3.6%-well below the global average of 6.1%. Volumes at all major ports in the region reduced MoM in November, with the exception of New York, up 0.6% MoM, and Seattle, up 8.4% MoM (but  down 12.6% YoY).
• On a more positive note, the European Container Port Throughput Index jumped 9.3% MoM in November (+10.5% YoY) and the rolling 12-month average growth rate recovered to 6.1% to match the global average. Throughput at Spain’s major ports was weaker than expected in November: volumes at Valencia and Barcelona fell 2.2% MoM and 8.1% MoM, respectively. In Northwest Europe, Antwerp-Bruges recovered from October’s shortfall, as volumes in November surged 21.6% MoM, up 3.3% YoY.