Port of Melbourne - Draft 2055 Port Development Strategy - Calls for Feedback

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), as active participants in the Port of Melbourne's strategic planning process through the Port of Melbourne's Port Development Strategy (PDS) Workshops, would like to inform members that the Port of Melbourne Draft 2055 Port Development Strategy (PDS) has today been released for public consultation.

The Draft 2055 Port Development Strategy (PDS) follows the 2050 Strategy released in 2020, which outlined ten key projects to boost capacity and support Victoria's growth. Under the Port Management Act 1995 (Vic), this draft represents Port of Melbourne's updated long-term plan through to 2055, with finalisation due by December 2025.

Building on the foundation of the 2050 PDS, the updated strategy sets a bold 30-year vision for the development of Australia's busiest container port and outlines how Port of Melbourne intends to meet future trade demands, facilitate modal shift to rail, support Victoria's energy transition, and manage key environmental and community considerations.

The Draft 2055 PDS has been developed following two earlier stages of stakeholder engagement. As part of Stage 3, Port of Melbourne is now seeking formal input from industry to refine the strategy and test key assumptions.

Industry Briefings

To support stakeholder engagement, Port of Melbourne will host a series of online briefings (in partnership with SEC Newgate) to outline key updates in the Draft 2055 Port Development Strategy, highlight what's changed since the 2050 strategy, and reflect on feedback received to date through earlier consultation rounds:

Stakeholder Group             Date                 Time
Industry and Peak Bodies    28 April 2025    1:00pm – 2:30pm AEST
Tenants and Port Users       28 April 2025    3:30pm – 5:00pm AEST
Shipping Lines                     29 April 2025    3:00pm – 4:30pm AEST
Community                           29 April 2025    6:00pm – 7:30pm AEST
Government                          02 May 2025    2:00pm – 3:30pm AEST

To register your interest in attending one of the above sessions, please register here. The registration process will be managed by SEC Newgate.
Following these sessions, stakeholders can request one-on-one meetings with Port of Melbourne should further information be required to prepare a submission.

Have Your Say

FTA/APSA is preparing a submission and strongly encourages members to contribute to ensure our sector's views are reflected.

Submissions for the Draft 2055 Port Development Strategy are now open and members are encouraged to supply feedback to Tom Jensen by Friday 30 May 2025 for incorporation into the FTA / APSA submission.

Submissions can also be made direct to the Port of Melbourne via email by 17:00 AEST on Friday 6 June 2025. To assist, Port of Melbourne have provided a submission template.

Resources
2050 PDS
Draft 2055 PDS Media Release
Draft 2055 PDS

FTA/APSA has been deeply engaged throughout the consultation process and recognises this strategy as a critical step in shaping Victoria's long-term freight capability. We look forward to working closely with members and Port of Melbourne to ensure the final strategy delivers for industry and the economy.

Tom Jensen -  General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA