Container volumes up 8.5% at Melbourne

Container volumes for the year to June increased by 8.5% – the 16th consecutive year of positive growth and above the average annual growth rate of 7.8% for this period. International loaded container imports grew by 10.4% and loaded container exports by 4%, despite the impact of drought conditions across the state of Victoria.

Earlier in the year Melbourne became the first Australian port to handle 2m teu in a 12-month period; by the end of the year volumes at the Port reached 2.094m teu. Dry bulk trade for the year grew by 11.2% and liquid bulk trade by 5.5%. Motor vehicles grew by 5.1% to 339,000 units, or an average 920 motor vehicles each day.

These trade results contributed to a strong financial performance, with an operating profit after tax of A$22m. PoMC undertook capital expenditure of A$59.9m on projects to upgrade and enhance marine and landside infrastructure, including A$14.4m towards a planned A$38m upgrade of Australia’s leading international container terminal at Swanson Dock. Since its inception in July 2003, PoMC has invested over A$162m in port infrastructure.