PORT of Melbourne reported a decrease in container volumes in March 2023 compared with the same month last year.
The port handled a total of 267,294 TEU in March, a 2.3% decrease since March 2022. Year-to-date container volumes were down 0.2%.
Full overseas imports in March saw a 2.7% increase on the same month last year, with clothing, paperboard and electrical machinery all above last year’s volumes.
However, shipments of miscellaneous manufactures, furniture and domestic appliances were below last year’s volumes.
Full overseas exports were down 1.8% on figures reported in March 2022, with paperboard, hay and fodder and wine all below last year’s volumes.
Empty container movements at the Port of Melbourne increased 4.5% from March 2022 figures.
Breakbulk in March was up 25.8% compared with the same month last year, and liquid bulk was up 22.9% on last year’s volumes.
And the dry bulk trade in March was up 8.7% compared with the same month last year.
Port of Melbourne said container trade for April 2023 is tracking above the comparative month last year.
