Victoria's Port of Melbourne has recorded a seven per cent increase in container movements, handling a total of 2.39 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an average of about 6,500 containers per day.

 

Minister for Ports Denis Napthine said the figures, which were revealed in the Port of Melbourne of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) annual report, represented a huge boost for the Victorian economy and supported thousands of Victorian jobs.

 

"The PoMC has reported a record-breaking year which also saw total trade rise by 5.8 per cent to 79.7 million revenue tonnes," Dr Napthine said.

 

"The number of ships visiting the port also increased with more than 3,300 ships docking at Melbourne during the last financial year. The report also shows that overseas exports increased 11 per cent to 23.5 million revenue tonnes while overseas imports increased 4.9 per cent to 33.6 million revenue tonnes.

 

PoMC's Finance summary for the 2010-11 year is as follows:

  • $39 million operating profit after tax
  •  Revenue increase of $23.8 million to $242.2 million
  •  $26 million invested in capital projects

 

PoMC's Finance trade for the 2010-11 year is as follows:

  • Total trade up 5.8 per cent to 79.7 million revenue tonnes
  • Total container throughput up 7 per cent to 2.39 million TEU
  • New motor vehicles down 4.7 per cent to 358,000 units.

Meanwhile, the Port of Geelong increased its total trade volume by 35 per cent last financial year after the total throughput at the port went from 10.6 million tonnes in 2009-10 to 14.2 million tonnes in 2010-11 according to the Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA).

 

The VRCA found that bulk liquid imports and exports, including petroleum products, crude oil and logistics chemicals were up 13 per cent.

 

“According to a 2010 economic impact of the Port of Geelong report, the port creates more than 1,100 jobs and adds about $310 million to the local economy every year,” Dr Napthine said.