PORT of Melbourne saw an increase in container throughput in June compared with the previous month, but there was a decline when compared with throughput in June 2021.

June 2022 saw total container throughput (full and empty) decline 1.3% the same month in 2021 with a total of 272,349 TEU.

Year-to-date container volumes are down 1.9%, but the port noted that financial year 2021 trade figures were abnormally high.

Full overseas imports decreased 2.0% on June 2021 as Shanghai trade reopened,  whilst full container exports were down 6.1% on June 2021, with the ongoing timber log export bans to China continuing to impact results.

Total empty container movements were 5.6% above June 2021.

A statement from the port said with Shanghai fully open from restrictions in early June, reports are that Shanghai has experienced an exceptional bounce in exports with a record trade surplus on the back of pent-up demand.

The port said North East Asian trade to Australia remains strong, but some vessels caught up in congestion during May have caused some sliding in schedules and bunching, however the supply chain remains resilient, and we continue to monitor the situation ahead of peak season.