Port of Melbourne handled a record 3.5 million TEUs in 2025, marking its second consecutive year of record container volumes.
The port said the result highlights the resilience of Victoria’s trade despite geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainty and slower global growth.
Container volumes continued to grow in 2026. Trade increased more than 2% year on year in the first quarter, while April volumes rose nearly 7%.
CEO Saul Cannon said global conditions remain uncertain, but trade has adapted rather than slowed.
“Goods need to move and Victoria needs to trade. What we saw was not a slowdown in trade, but an adaptation to new global conditions.”
Exports remained strong throughout 2025, supported by agricultural shipments to the United States and Asia.
The port handled more than 660,000 TEUs of export containers during the year, mainly agricultural products from southeastern Australia.
Southeast Asia accounted for more than a quarter of container exports, while demand from the United States remained strong.
Import volumes also increased as easing inflation and recovering household incomes supported domestic demand.
Victoria’s Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Steve Dimopoulos, said the results reinforce the state’s position as a major trading economy.
“Port of Melbourne’s strong results show Victoria remains an export powerhouse.”
Port of Melbourne handles more than one-third of Australia’s container trade and remains a key gateway for Victorian exports and imports.
Cannon said continued investment will be essential to sustain growth.
“We need efficient, competitive supply chains backed by long-term investment and strong partnerships.”
