The Port of Melbourne's first 'Trade in Review' report reveals a significant and ongoing reduction in breakbulk cargo volumes. In 2025, breakbulk constituted only one percent of the port's total trade, amounting to approximately 1.0 million revenue tonnes. This figure represents a substantial decrease from previous years, continuing a multi-year trend that saw volumes at around 1.8 million tonnes in earlier periods.
This decline suggests a broader shift in cargo handling preferences or market demand within the region, with more goods likely being containerized or routed through other ports capable of handling specialized breakbulk operations more efficiently. The report highlights a structural change rather than a temporary fluctuation.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this trend means fewer options for breakbulk and oversized cargo movements through Melbourne. Operations managers may need to explore alternative ports or consider different transport strategies, such as disassembling larger items for containerization or utilizing specialized heavy-lift carriers that may call at other regional ports. This could lead to increased transit times or costs if direct breakbulk services become scarcer or less competitive at Melbourne. It also underscores the importance of early planning for project cargo to secure appropriate vessel space and port facilities.
The report does not specify future actions by the port to address this decline, but the ongoing trend suggests that stakeholders should anticipate a continued focus on containerized trade.
