Port of Melbourne Container Work: The Cashflow Map for 7–45 Day Terms
Cashflow map for container transport operators | Switchboard Finance
🚢 container cartage · Melbourne cashflow · 7–45 day terms ·
Truckie Hub · 2026
For truckers and owner-drivers doing container work, the pressure isn’t usually “lack of work” — it’s timing: you pay fuel and tolls today, you wear D&D risk, and your customer pays on 7–45 day terms. This cashflow map shows the real cost stack and the clean decision path: Business Line of Credit vs Invoice Finance.
If you want the transport finance context first, read the hero explainer What Is Fleet Finance and How Does It Work?, then use the cashflow system view: Business Cashflow System (WCL + LOC + Invoice).
1) The container cashflow problem (why it feels profitable but tight)
Container cartage is a timing game. Even when the rate is solid, your outgoings hit fast: fuel, tolls, tyres, maintenance, and the “port day” stack. Then the payment lands later — sometimes much later.
The hidden killer is not one cost, it’s stacking: a few heavy weeks in a row can compress your buffer. If you try to solve that with the wrong finance tool, the consequence is the facility stays maxed and the next approval becomes harder.
Think of it like “docket-to-pay” in a container context: the job is done, the invoice exists, but cash arrives later. That gap is what you fund — not the whole business.
2) The 7–45 day cashflow map (what hits now vs what pays later)
Lenders approve faster when the map is clear: “Here are the costs that hit immediately, here’s when customers pay, and here’s the tool we’re using to bridge the gap.” That’s a clean story.
If you don’t map it, the consequence is usually “mixed usage.” A facility starts paying for everything — and lenders stop believing it will cycle down.
Use this map to keep your lane simple and predictable.
| Timing | What usually happens | Cash impact | What you should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0–7 | Fuel + toll-heavy runs, plus port-day stack | Cash out now | Keep account movements clean and predictable |
| Day 7–21 | Invoices issued, costs continue | Gap grows | Decide whether the gap is “invoice-backed” or “general timing” |
| Day 21–45 | Payments land in batches | Catch-up phase | Use finance that cycles down when cash arrives |
3) Pick LOC vs Invoice Finance (the decision rule that prevents limit blowouts)
The right tool depends on what’s creating the gap. If the gap is mainly “we’ve invoiced and we’re waiting,” invoice finance can match the timing. If the gap is broader (many small costs, uneven weeks), a LOC can help — but only if you keep usage controlled.
If you choose wrong, the consequence is common: repayments or cycling don’t match your cash timing, the facility stays drawn, and approvals get harder over time. The goal is a facility that naturally reduces when customer payments arrive.
Use this simple rule and you’ll avoid most container cashflow blow-ups. It’s built around your Trade Terms reality — not generic advice.
- Use Invoice Finance when the gap is tied to issued invoices and predictable payment cycles.
- Use a LOC when the gap is ongoing and you need flexible access — but keep it “bridge-only,” not a dumping ground.
- Add Working Capital if you need a defined short-term buffer for a specific crunch: Working Capital Loans.
4) The “clean file” proof pack for container work (so approvals move fast)
Container work is not hard to finance — it just needs clarity. Lenders want to see that your receivables are real, your costs are transport-normal, and your cashflow plan is structured.
If you submit without proof structure, the consequence is extra conditions and slow processing. The lender has to build the story themselves, and they’ll do it conservatively.
This proof pack makes the story obvious: what you’re owed, what you pay, and why the gap exists. It pairs well with a simple Cash Flow Forecast for the next 30–45 days.
- One-page cashflow map: terms range + weekly cost stack + expected payment days.
- Receivables proof: keep it clean and specific (avoid dumping everything).
- Cost stack explanation: fuel/tolls/maintenance are normal — show they’re planned.
- Keep truck purchases separate: if you’re upgrading equipment, keep it in Low Doc Asset Finance.
Truckers, owner-drivers, transport & logistics businesses doing container work often face the same squeeze: costs hit immediately, payments land later on 7–45 day terms, and the “port day” stack compresses buffers. The solution is a clean timing map and the right tool — not guessing.
Use a Business Line of Credit for flexible timing gaps, and Invoice Finance when the gap is invoice-backed. For the system view, read Business Cashflow System.
FAQ
When your cash gap is mainly “we’ve invoiced, now we’re waiting.” If your Accounts Receivable is real and consistent, invoice-backed funding can match the timing without turning into a permanent drawdown.
When the gap is broader than invoices — lots of small costs, uneven weeks, and timing shocks. A LOC works best when you keep strict control of the Credit Limit and use it as a bridge, not a long-term crutch.
Treating immediate costs like they’re “later problems.” Fuel and tolls hit now, and if you don’t plan them inside your Cash Flow Assessment, the gap grows faster than you expect.
Keep it simple: “These are our weekly costs, these are our terms, and this is how the gap is bridged.” When you show your Accounts Payable cadence clearly, lenders need fewer follow-ups and approvals move faster.
Submit a clean proof pack early and don’t drip-feed. A simple Pre-Approval style submission (clear map + clear evidence + fast replies) keeps your file “alive” and reduces conditions.
Disclaimer: This content is general information only and isn’t financial, legal, or tax advice.
