PORT of Melbourne reported a 3.5% decrease in total container throughput in July, when compared with the same month last year.
The port said full container imports, not including the Bass Strait trade, were down 4.6% on July last year.
Import cargo categories that saw declines included domestic appliances, furniture and toys.
Full container exports, not including the Bass Strait trade, were likewise down in July – by less than a percentage point – compared with the same month in 2022.
The port said exports of hay, chaff and fodder and raw cotton were down on last year.
However, total non-containerised trade through the Port of Melbourne was up by 1% in July.
