The shipping platform

Location: Melbourne is situated at the N end of Port Phillip Bay in the state of Victoria. General overview: The port has facilities for most cargoes and is an important transport link for Bass Strait and Tasmania. The container facilities at Swanson Dock have ensured Melbourne's position as one of Australia's prime container ports. The port has 34 commercial berths including 2 modern purpose built four berth international container terminals. Multipurpose berths handle cargoes ranging from timber to motor vehicles and specialised berths for dry cargoes, including cement, grain, sugar and gypsum, also facilities for a variety of liquids from molasses to petrochemicals. There are specialised cruise ship berths. Bunkers, water and provisions are available throughout the port. Traffic figures: Approx 3,300 vessels, 79,700,000t of cargo, including 2,400,000TEU and over 68,000 passengers handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: LOA 290m, draught 12.1m (with tide), approx 150,152DWT.