October container volumes increase on the prior year
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Increased container volumes are noted comparative to October 2021.
October 2022 saw total container throughput (full and empty) up 15.6% over October 2021 with a total of 295,149 TEU. Year to date container volumes are up 9.3%.
Full overseas imports were up 11.9% on October 2021 with domestic appliances, non-electrical machinery, ceramic goods, clothing, miscellaneous manufactures and metal manufactures all above last year’s volumes. Full overseas exports were up 11.0% on October 2021, with wheat, cottonseed, raw cotton, malt, meat and nuts (almonds) all above last year’s levels.
Total empty container movements were 37.9% above October 2021.
October 2022 trade performance compared with October 2021 was as follows:
| Full overseas container imports (excl. transshipments) | 11.9% above October 2021 | 10.0% above FYTD22 |
| Full overseas container exports (excl. transshipments) | 11.0% above October 2021 | 5.7% above FYTD22 |
| Total empty containers moved | 37.9% above October 2021 | 16.2% above FYTD22 |
| Bass Strait full container trade (excl. transshipments) | 3.6% above October 2021 | 2.3% below FYTD22 |
| Full container transshipments | 8.1% above October 2021 | 4.5% above FYTD22 |
| Dry bulk trade | 13.4% above October 2021 | 5.7% below FYTD22 |
| Break bulk trade | 22.2% above October 2021 | 10.5% above FYTD22 |
| Liquid bulk trade | 8.3% above October 2021 | 11.2% above FYTD22 |
| Motor vehicle imports | 27.9% above October 2021 |
Trade outlook
Container trade for November 2022 is tracking below the comparative month in 2021.
Supply chain
Globally, port congestion is improving, but remains higher than pre-Covid averages with some ongoing disruption. Container freight rates continued to decline throughout October, although still remaining above pre-pandemic levels.
Locally the supply chain remains resilient, with minimal congestion and we continue to monitor the situation.
Please call your Port of Melbourne contact or email us at information@portofmelbourne.com if you have any queries.