Port of Melbourne has announced strong container volumes in August as the traditional peak season commences.
The major Australian port saw total container throughput (full and empty) rising by 9.5% in the last month over August 2021 with a total of 284,487 TEU, while year-to-date box volumes are also increased by 6.5%.
Full overseas imports were up 11.2% from August 2021 with strong trade flowing with the commencement of the traditional peak season, whilst full overseas container exports were up 8.2% from August 2021, with raw cotton, wheat, cottonseed and hay and chaff
above last year’s levels. In addition, total empty container movements were 7.9% above the same month last year.
However, Port of Melbourne said that container trade for early September 2022 is tracking below the comparative month in 2021.
“Globally, congestion and delays are still being seen however schedule reliability globally continues to improve. Container freight rates continued to decline during August, although still well above pre-pandemic levels,” commented the port.
