Imports of raw plastics and clothing have helped boost April throughput at the nation’s largest container terminal.
Port of Melbourne Corporation has noted an increase in overseas container throughput for April 2016 when compared with the same month last year.
Total overseas container throughput (both full and empty) for April was 171,685 TEU, a 4.3% increase from April 2015.
Total overseas container imports for the month were up 3.6% while total overseas container exports were up 5%.
Meanwhile full overseas container imports were 83,466 TEU, a 3.8% increase from April last year.
According to PoMC, several commodities had monthly increases including raw plastics, clothing, wood manufactures, plastic ware, chemical products, ceramics, builders’ hardware and furniture.
“Commodities with the most notable declines were miscellaneous manufactures, non-electrical machinery, chemicals and newsprint,” PoMC stated.
“Full overseas container exports were 56,226 TEU for April 2016 which was up 6.9% against April 2015.”
As well, several commodities recorded gains for the month including timber, fresh fruit, chemical products, pulp and wastepaper, paperboards and hay and chaff.
Commodities with notable declines were barley, paper, meat, processed vegetables, newsprint and metal manufactures.
Empty overseas container movements for April rose 1.2% from the same period last year to 31,994 TEU. At the same time, empty overseas exports increased 1.2% for the month, while empty overseas imports also increased 1.4% against April 2015.
This article was originally published by Rail Express affiliate Lloyd’s List Australia.