Port of Melbourne container volumes rebound

July 2022 saw total container throughput (full and empty) up 3.7 per cent over July 2021 with a total of 285,561 TEU.

Year to date container volumes are up 3.7 per cent.

Total empty container movements were 16.2 per cent above July 2021.

Full overseas imports were up 3.9 per cent on July 2021 with strong trade flowing through post Shanghai lockdowns, whilst full container exports were down 5.7 per cent on July 2021, with miscellaneous manufactures, timber, barley, non-alcoholic beverages and fresh fruit below last year’s levels.

Full container transshipments came in at 11.1 per cent below July 2021.

Container trade for early August 2022 is tracking above the comparative month in 2021.

The news comes after container volumes at Australia’s largest container port have suffered since the beginning of this year.

In May 2022, the port saw total container throughput (full and empty) decline 6 per cent over the same period the previous year, with a total of 271,053 TEU.

Year-to-date container volumes were also down 1.9 per cent.

“The global supply chain continues to be challenged, and despite some evidence of consumer spending slowing due to inflationary pressures, there remains ongoing congestion at major hubs and inland networks,” the port wrote in its trade outlook.

Overflow of volume has been seen to neighbouring ports due to industrial action across parts of the US, UK and Germany, the port wrote, in addition to weather issues, ongoing issues related to the Ukraine conflict, and the fact that ports are continuing to work through large volumes of backlog cargo.

“Trade volumes to Australia remain strong however congestion continues to be seen in the Oceania region due to severe weather and vessel bunching. Locally the supply chain remains resilient and we continue to monitor the situation ahead of peak season.”

Source: Shanghai lockdown