| Container Port Statistics - What Impact from COVID-19?
CTAA has kept the container transport logistics sector informed about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on container trades through Australian ports. We've also kept you up-to-date with Commonwealth and State Government responses to the pandemic, at the macro-level and supply chain specific levels.
Three Phases:
The container transport logistics sector has experienced three phases of operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Firstly, in late February into March, the sector experienced a lull in import container volumes caused by the outbreak of the virus in China and lockdowns. This extended the closure of Chinese factories and logistics chains after the Lunar New Year. Container import volumes were down around 10% to 15%. Exports stayed surprisingly buoyant. The second phase saw import volumes rebound as Chinese factories and logistics services moved out of lockdown and capacity ramped up again. Shipping services returned with less blank sailings. Transport operators dealt with increased import shipments. Some shippers needed additional storage space, with their supply chains coming off the boil as the COVID-19 economic and social restrictions took hold in Australia. Again, exports remained relatively buoyant throughout. We are now in Phase Three … the most uncertain phase. What then are the current statistics on container trades, and any forecasts for the future?
Port of Melbourne:
Port of Melbourne Operations (POMO) has reported that despite weather-related impacts on stevedore operations in late May, the supply chain continues to operate efficiently. Stevedores are dealing with higher volumes in June as a result of bad weather along the east coast delaying vessel arrivals into Melbourne, causing vessels to 'bunch'.
As a result of the weather delays, an estimated 10-15,000 TEU of overseas containers due to arrive on vessels in May have arrived in June instead. The May 2020 results therefore were: - Total container volumes (full and empty) down by 12.4 per cent;
- Full overseas container imports down 5.5 per cent;
- Full overseas container exports down 5.4 per cent;
- Empty container throughput down 14.6 per cent;
POMO reports that June trade data for the first three weeks indicates that container trade volumes for the month are likely to be similar to the same period of 2019, noting that June and July are typically low season months for trade.
Read the full Port of Melbourne Report - Update #7: Here
Port of Melbourne container trade data report - May 2020: Here
Port Botany - NSW Ports:
NSW Ports' CEO, Marika Calfas, has reported that year to date, as at May (11 months) the FY20 total container volumes through Port Botany are down 6.4% on 2019 - a relatively strong position given what is happening around the World.
At a commodity level, containerised food and beverage imports increased 2% in NSW compared to the same period last year, while containerised chemical imports have increased 13% due to the strength in demand for chemicals feeding DIY activities and cleaning products.
Marika sees continuing collaboration between industry and government as key, including the continued reduction in night curfews on trucks allowing greater use of the road freight network at night for deliveries to customers, and better freight rail access on the passenger network.
Read the NSW Ports' Report: Here
NSW Ports' May Container Trade Report: Here
Port of Brisbane:
Port of Brisbane CEO, Roy Cummins, has thanked customers and partners for working together during the COVID-19 restrictions. Brisbane also had to contend with the arrival of APL England to salvage the damaged containers onboard, then discharge the vessel fully.
Container trade overall in May 2020 was down just over 7% compared with May 2019, while year to date compared to 2019 is down around 4%.
Port of Brisbane Trade Report - May 2020: Here
The last QLD Freight & Export Market Update Bulletin was released on 8 May 2020: Here
Port of Fremantle:
The Port of Fremantle recorded are marked slowdown in container trades in May 2020 when compared with May 2019 - Imports were down 17.4%, exports down 25.4% = an overall reduction in container trade of 21.25%.
These decreases in May 2020 are off the back of a solid month of April 2020 compared to the same period last year - imports up 2.26%, exports down only just over 4%, with a total container trade volume being down only 0.72%.
Port of Fremantle Container Trade Reports: Here
Port of Adelaide:
Flinders Ports' container statistics show that Year to Date (YTD) in May 2020 compared to YTD2019 containerised imports are down approx. 14.9%, while containerised exports are up by 11.9%, meaning that YTD2020 is only 0.39% down on the same period last year.
Comparing May 2020 against May 2019, containerised imports are down 18.75%, while containerised exports were up 17.89%. This means that overall container trades in May 2020 were slightly up on 2019 (1.82%).
Flinders Ports' Statistics: Here |