May 2023 container volumes decrease on the prior year
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Total container throughput (full & empty) in May 2023 were down 6.3% over May 2022 with a total of 254,310 TEU. Year to date container volumes were down 1.0%.
Full overseas imports were down 13.4% on May 2022 with furniture, domestic appliances, clothing, paperboards and textiles below last year’s volumes.
Full overseas exports were down 17.8% on May 2022, wheat, pulp & wastepaper, wool and scrap metal below last year’s volumes.
Total empty container movements were 6.9% above May 2022.
May 2023 trade performance compared with May 2022 was as follows:
| Full overseas container imports (excl. transshipments) | -13.4% below May 2022 | -3.7% below FYTD22 |
| Full overseas container exports (excl. transshipments) | -17.8% below May 2022 | -3.8% below FYTD22 |
| Total empty containers moved | +6.9% above May 2022 | +5.2% above FYTD22 |
| Bass Strait full container trade (excl. transshipments) | -4.5% below May 2022 | -2.6% below FYTD22 |
| Full container transshipments | +49.6% above May 2022 | +9.6% above FYTD22 |
| Dry bulk trade | +3.6% above May 2022 | -0.2% below FYTD22 |
| Break bulk trade | -23.7% below May 2022 | -3.8% below FYTD22 |
| Liquid bulk trade | +31.2% above May 2022 | +8.5% above FYTD22 |
| Motor vehicle imports | +14.8% above May 2022 (+5,057 units) |
Trade outlook
Container trade for June 2023 is currently tracking in line with the comparative month in 2022.