The Victorian Government has established a Container Storage Working Group of industry representatives to keep the supply chain moving amid challenges caused by COVID-19.
Chaired by Freight Victoria’s Executive Director, Praveen Reddy, the group includes representatives from across the shipping industry, stevedores, transport operators, peak bodies, and government.
Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne, said collaboration between government and critical industry leaders would help maintain and progress Victoria’s freight advantage.
“The challenge is confronting the supply chain head-on, and now is the time for the government and industry to understand these issues and address them,” Ms Horne said.
“We are regularly engaging with key industry representatives about these supply chain issues, which is allowing us to share our combined pressures, clearly identify emerging themes, and propose options and solutions.”
The group will also monitor ongoing challenges faced since the start of the pandemic, which have impacted supply chains on a national and international level.
COVID-19-related labour shortages have affected the movement of containers through the supply chain at the Port of Melbourne, as well as at warehouse and logistics precincts.
An increase in consumer demand and container shortages have also created disruption.
As supply chains return to normal, the capacity to store full and empty shipping containers has come under even more pressure.
The working group meetings will analyse current pressures on the storage of shipping containers and provide possible solutions.
The Victorian freight network underpins the state’s economy, providing industries and consumers access to products they need and connecting producers to national and global markets.
The Victorian Government recognises that the ports and freight sector adds $21 billion to the state’s economy each year and supports 260,000 jobs.
The working group commenced discussions in late February 2022 and will convene weekly until the end of April.
