​Creation of Ports Victoria

Ports Victoria is a Victorian Government authority that manages the safe transit of vessels into and out of Victoria’s commercial ports. It provides maritime expertise, informing the strategic development and operations within Victoria’s commercial ports and waterways.

Its creation was a key recommendation of the State Government’s independent review of the Victorian ports system conducted in 2020-21. It is the amalgamation of the former Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) (VPCM) and Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA).

Ports Victoria started operations on 1 July 2021 and is headquartered in Geelong.

Media releases

Read the media releases from the Minister for Ports and Freight:

• Geelong home for new Victorian ports body (PDF) - 25 February 2021
• New state-wide ports body Board announced (PDF) - 16 June 2021

Read the media release from Ports Victoria's Chief Operating Officer:

• Victorian state-wide ports body – Ports Victoria – officially begins operations today (PDF) - 1 July 2021

The independent review

For information about the independent review, please visit the Department of Transport’s website where you can read the following documents:

• Independent Review of the Victorian Ports System
• Full Government Response to the Independent Review of the Victorian Ports System.

Port information

While work is underway on a new, dedicated Ports Victoria website, information about shipping and ports will continue on the two legacy sites:

• Victorian Regional Channels Authority
• Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne)