Photo credit: Port of Melbourne.

The Australian Port of Melbourne announced that it in 2024 has achieved the highest annual container trade volume ever recorded, signifying a historic milestone for Victoria.

The Port saw in 2024 a total of 3.396 million twenty-equivalent units (TEUs)  which as per Port status is more than 9 per cent up from 2023 volumes.

As Australia’s largest general cargo and container port, Port of Melbourne handles more than one-third of the nation’s container trade, as its strategic geographic position allows the Port to support efficient and effective transport and logistics across southeastern Australia.

Spurred by economic and population growth in Victoria and southeastern Australia, container trade through Port of Melbourne is expected to more than double within the next thirty years as the port states.

As demand for trade continues to grow, Port of Melbourne is committed to meeting the growing needs of Victoria with more than AUS$800 million invested in port infrastructure since 2016 and a further AUS$700 million expected by 2028.

Saul Cannon, Port of Melbourne Chief Executive Officer., says that “Port of Melbourne holds a critical position as the trade gateway for southeastern Australia and beyond. The significant growth in container trade underpins economic activity in Victoria, and reflects the state’s diverse business landscape,” and he adds that “We are proud to facilitate the export of agricultural goods, working with growers, shipping lines, and other port users to bring our region’s finest products to the world.”