Last October's throughput record tumbles as exports to other Australian ports rise strongly
September 14, 2011
Despite commentary on the negative effect of the two-speed economy on the eastern states, the story appears more complicated on the container docks of Melbourne.
Having recorded a 7 percent rise last financial year, Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) says the port has topped its monthly record with a 10.4 percent increase in container throughput for August for an Australian record of 233,000 teu (20-foot equivalent units).
This surpasses the previous monthly record of 217,000 teu handled last October.
Full container exports rose 9.7 percent over August last year to be up 6 percent for the year to date. Coastal exports were up 25.6 percent while overseas exports increased 4.9 percent.
The leading commodities contributing to the full container export increase were rice (up 312 percent), processed vegetables (up 86 percent), vehicle parts (51 percent), machinery (49 percent), paper (18 percent) and miscellaneous manufactures (12 percent).
Full container imports were up 11.8 percent over the same month last year and up 11.4 percent for the financial year to date. The overseas sector posted a 13.1 percent
increase while the coastal sector was almost static with a 0.1 percent decline.
The leading commodities contributing to the increase in full container imports were vehicle parts (50 percent), builders hardware (45 percent), machinery (34 percent), rubber manufactures (29 percent), paperboards (27 percent), paper (25 percent), metal manufactures (14 percent) and furniture (13 percent).
