Port of Melbourne - Industry Update March 2024

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Message from the CEO

The past month has been underscored by positive outcomes, particularly thanks to the successful ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. The ASEAN region is our most important export trade region, comprising 28% of container exports.

As such, the progress of a new Maritime Cooperation Package with Malaysia presents an opportunity to deepen ties with the fifth-largest importer of goods into the Port.

We also support the formalisation of the Singapore and Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) and welcome the opportunity to support the acceleration of maritime decarbonisation and digitalization.

Likewise, we are pleased with the announcement of the government's $140-million injection into the Partnerships for Infrastructure Program, of which Port of Melbourne is an ongoing supporter. We look forward to continuing work with our stakeholders and trade partners to enhance the economic prosperity of Victoria.

The first quarter of the year has also been an especially busy time, centred around building connections, strengthening relations, and supporting industry. Among the many activities at the Port, we welcomed a number of government officials representing our important trade partners, we ran boat tours for the industry and wider community – and we even hosted a submarine from the Royal Australian Navy's fleet.

That said, maintaining a robust and resilient supply chain continues to be our top priority. Over the last few months, this includes working closely with Victoria Police to minimise the impact of protests on port operations and to ensure the smooth flow of goods.

As always, we appreciate your support and look towards our ongoing collaboration.

Best regards
Saul Cannon

Trade & Supply Chain Update

Container trade for the first two months of 2024 has seen a resurgence compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.

February saw strong growth, marked by a notable recovery in full container trade post Chinese New Year, with an increase in both full imports and exports compared to the same month in the previous year.

Non-container trade in February has shown strong growth compared to the prior year, with increases in dry bulk, liquid bulk, and break bulk.

Click here to read more.

Latest Developments

Protests at Webb Dock

There have been activists present at the Webb Dock precinct on several occasions - most recently, on 22 March. They were moved on within a few hours by the Victoria Police's Public Response Unit.

As landlord, PoM has an obligation to ensure the safe and secure operation of the port and maintain the movement of goods and services for Victorian consumers.

We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to work with the police and port users to minimise ongoing disruptions from protests.

Port Infrastructure Update

Port Capacity Enhancement Project Update

PoM has undertaken significant work in relation to the Port Capacity Enhancement Program (PCEP), to ensure the Port can meet the future demand of Victoria's growing economy, which is forecast to more than double within the next 30 years. This work has included extensive stakeholder engagement to inform technical reports forecasting capacity.

Following stakeholder engagement, analysis of tenant impacts, and assessment of delivery schedules, PoM can now advise that it is targeting new capacity at Webb Dock North in 2036, to avoid capacity constraints that forecasting suggests may first arise in 2037.

This proposed timing balances meeting demand for the benefit of Victoria and impacts on the broader supply chain. There is significantly more work to be done across all elements of new capacity planning, and we look forward to further refining our program and engaging with our stakeholders.

For more information, click here.

Dredging Program

Dredging is routinely required to remove a build-up of sediment and ensure that the declared depth at, and in the vicinity of, berths and channels at PoM are maintained for the safe operation of shipping. From mid-March to late April 2024, dredging activity will be taking place in the following areas of the Port:

Victoria Dock
Appleton Dock
Swanson Dock
Swanson Dock Swing Basin
South Wharf
the Maribyrnong River (southern end near Maribyrnong/Yarraville berths)
Webb Dock; and
Station Pier.

These works will not generate any impacts to the local community and updated information is available on our Dredging webpage. You can contact us via email at Port.Dredge@portofmelbourne.com for more information.

Policy and Government Forums

HMAS Dechaineux at Port of Melbourne

It was an honour hosting the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Dechaineux at Port of Melbourne. One of six Collins class submarines, HMAS Dechaineux is among the first submarines to be completely designed by computers.

The submarine was at the Port to provide submarine tours to the Australian Navy Cadets as part of their ongoing learning and familiarisation.

Thailand Ministry of Transport and the Ambassador of Thailand to Australia

PoM welcomed 12 senior officials from Thailand's Ministry of Transport as part of our involvement with Partnerships for Infrastructure. In a separate visit, we welcomed the Ambassador of Thailand to Australia, Her Excellency Ms Arjaree Sriratanaban.

With Thailand being PoM's third-largest import partner, these visits were pertinent to strengthening relations and creating opportunities for collaboration.

ASEAN-Australia Special Summit

On 5 March, in conjunction with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, PoM hosted a tour of the Port for government officials, business leaders, and academics attending the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

We thank all who were present and look forward to further deepening our ties with the Port's most important export trade region.

Community Engagement

Wayfinder International Women's Day Breakfast

PoM is proud to have supported Wayfinder: Supply Chain Careers for Women in hosting their International Women's Day breakfast with The Hon Catherine King MP at our Port Education Centre.

The event shed light on gender equity and the journey ahead in driving change and advocating for women within the supply chain and logistics industry.

Industry and Community Boat Tours

More than 200 members of the wider industry attended our quarterly Industry Boat Tour, gaining an up-close view of Australia's largest container and general cargo port.

A further 900 community members came onboard for our Community Boat Tours – a family-friendly cruise around the Port.

Follow us on LinkedIn for more engagement and activity updates.