| | | | | | | | | Message from the CEO In this final Industry Update for 2024, I would like to share some reflections on the past year.
2024 has been a year of growth, collaboration, and learning – albeit, not without challenges. We have seen changes in the geopolitical landscape impacting global trade, serving as a reminder that we must remain resilient and adaptable.
| | | | | | Here at Port of Melbourne, container trade is set to more than double by 2050. Stepping into 2025 means another year closer to this reality. It is crucial that we, as members of the industry, work together to ensure we can continue to meet the growing needs of Victoria.
Underpinning this growth is the increasing importance of sustainability. Whether you are a tenant, port user, or industry association, Port of Melbourne welcomes the opportunity to work together to deliver our commitment to Victoria in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to business and society.
As we look back on the year that has been, I wish you a pleasant close to 2024, and I look forward to working with you in the new year. Best regards
Saul Cannon | | | | | | Trade & Supply Chain Update 
Container trade for the first four months of FY25 (July – October 2024) has shown strong year-on-year growth compared to the same period last year. Import volumes have been robust, particularly in furniture and domestic appliances, which recorded significant growth.
Export volume growth continues its strong momentum, supported by favourable agricultural conditions driving key commodities such as wheat, hay, cotton, and meats. However, the stronger growth in full exports relative to full imports has reduced the surplus of empty containers, leading to a decline in empty container exports.
Non-container trade, on the other hand, has declined compared to the same period last year, with dry bulk being the only exception due to strong grain export volumes.
Click here to read more. | | | | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne Welcomes New Chair Debbie Goodin | | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne is pleased to welcome Debbie Goodin as the newly appointed independent Chair of the Board of Directors, effective 1 March 2025.
With more than 30 years of senior management experience in the public and private sectors, Ms Goodin's extensive experience, particularly in the critical infrastructure sector, will help move Port of Melbourne forward through its next phase of growth and development.
| | | | | | As part of this announcement, current Chair John Stanhope will step down from his role on 28 February 2025. Mr Stanhope was appointed to the role of inaugural Chair in 2016 and oversaw the development of the first roadmap for the future of the Port. Read more. | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne 2024 Sustainability Report | | | | | | On 25 November, Port of Melbourne released our 2024 Sustainability Report detailing progress over the past year. As Australia's largest general cargo and container port located in the heart of Melbourne, sustainability underpins our purpose and strategy, and is core to the delivery of our goals and priorities. | | | | | | | In FY24, Port of Melbourne achieved a number of sustainability milestones that centre around the themes of People, Planet, Partnerships, and Prosperity. Read the report. | | | | | | | Record-Breaking Vessels Call at Port of Melbourne's Swanson Dock | | | | | | | | On 25 October, Port of Melbourne welcomed the largest ever vessel to call at Swanson Dock. The Seaspan Breeze berthed at Patrick Terminals, setting a new benchmark at 337 metres in length and 48.2 metres in beam. The milestone came just days after CMA CGM Volga arrived at Swanson Dock East. With an impressive capacity of 10,622 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), the CMA CGM Volga broke the record as the largest container vessel by TEU capacity to visit Swanson Dock. | | | | | | Port of Melbourne is proud to continually invest in the Port's capacity to handle larger vessels, including at Swanson Dock, and we look forward to continuing to work with our tenants and broader stakeholders to build Victoria's supply chain resilience. Read more. | | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne Ranked First for Consecutive Year in GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment | | | | | | Port of Melbourne has been ranked first among Australian and international ports in the 2024 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) for the second year running. We also received a 5-star GRESB rating for the third consecutive year. | | | | | | | | We are proud to be seen as a leader in sustainability that has met all of GRESB's best practice benchmarks this year, and we remain committed to continually improving to meet ever-increasing expectations in the sustainability space.
Read more. | | | | | | | Stakeholder Engagement on Future Port Development | | | | | | Throughout October and November, Port of Melbourne continued its integrated engagement on future port development.
This included responding to feedback, progressing work on some aspects of the draft Cost Benefit Analysis with Deloitte, continuing 1:1 meetings with our stakeholders, and hosting workshops to gain further stakeholder input to develop our draft 2055 Port Development Strategy (PDS).
From April to June 2025, our stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input and feedback on our draft 2055 PDS.
Further information about our 2055 Port Development Strategy can be found at 2050 Port Development Strategy | Port of Melbourne or by emailing pds@portofmelbourne.com. | | | | | | Port Infrastructure Update Port of Melbourne Roads Program | | | | | | Port of Melbourne will deliver a $21 million roads program over a five-year period, improving road user experience and increasing safety throughout each of the Port precincts. | | | | | | Following an extensive road audit in 2023, design development and delivery of improvement works will be rolled out in packages over a five-year period, through to FY29. Road safety is a key focus area for Port of Melbourne and these works aim to ensure our roads are safe and accessible for both passenger and heavy vehicle use. | | | | | | | | | | | Government and Industry Forums Ports Australia 2024 Conference | | | | | | | | | From 29 to 31 October, Ports Australia held its Biennial Conference 2024 in Hobart, Tasmania. On Day 2, Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon moderated a panel session alongside KPMG Australia's Geopolitics Partner Merriden Varrall and Kyle Naish, Assistant Secretary, Trade and Investment Economics Branch, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. | | | | | | Titled "Economic and Geopolitical Landscape: Past, Present and Future", the panel was an update on the last biennial conference where Saul also moderated. The panel covered insightful perspectives on today's shifting landscape and dived deep into the evolving forces shaping our world. | | | | | | | Australia China Business Council Delegation to Beijing Port of Melbourne CFO Leigh Petschel joined the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) delegation to Beijing, led by ACBC National President and Chair David Olsson AM. China has long been an important trade partner for Port of Melbourne, representing our largest import source and export destination. | | | | | | Alongside senior business leaders from diverse sectors across Australia, Leigh met with key government officials, including He Lifeng, Vice Premier of China, and Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce, to explore new pathways for collaboration in trade, investment, and emerging opportunities. Read more. | | | | | | | 30th Tasmanian Export Awards 2024 | | | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne was a proud sponsor of the 30th Tasmanian Export Awards 2024 "Agribusiness, Food and Beverages" category. Congratulations to Hellyers Road Distillery on their well-deserved win. Bringing premium Australian whisky to the world, Hellyers Road Distillery's products are exported to approximately 30 countries across the globe. | | | | | | We also congratulate all the high achievers who stood out among tough competition, demonstrating a positive impact on the Tasmanian economy through their outstanding passion and innovation. | | | | | | Port of Melbourne and Port of Osaka 50-Year Anniversary | | | | | | In early October, Port of Melbourne celebrated a remarkable milestone in our sister port relationship with the Port of Osaka, a partnership that has spanned five decades of collaboration, growth, and shared vision. This half-century journey underscores the strong ties between the sister cities of Melbourne and Osaka, fostering cultural exchange and economic opportunities that benefit both regions. | | | | | | | Port of Melbourne Industry Boat Tour | | | | | | Port of Melbourne is delighted to offer the wider industry the opportunity to attend a boat tour of Australia's largest container and general cargo port on Tuesday, 10 December, departing Docklands. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to our community partners, the Mission to Seafarers Victoria and Stella Maris Seafarer Centre Melbourne.
Places are limited – book yours here.
| | | | | | | | | | $9,471 Raised for Seafarers Through Port of Melbourne Public Boat Tours | | | | | | | | Across three weekends in October and November, Port of Melbourne welcomed more than 1,000 community members on board our tours. More than $9,471 was raised, with all ticket sales going to the Mission to Seafarers Victoria and Stella Maris Melbourne – our community partners that support the thousands of seafarers who spend months at sea bringing goods to us every day of the year. | | | | | | 3,618 Meals Packed for Foodbank Victoria's Mobile Supermarket Bus | | | | | | On 10 October, volunteers from Port of Melbourne packed 1,809 kilograms of food (the equivalent of 3,618 meals) in support of our community partner, Foodbank Victoria. Since 2018, Port of Melbourne has provided more than 2 million meals to Victorians in need through Foodbank Victoria. This time around, a total of 135 families benefitted from the mobile supermarket bus. | | | | | |