Sell a Logistics or Transport Business Melbourne | Berngate

Melbourne · Logistics, Transport & Distribution

Sell a logistics business
in Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia's logistics capital — home to the Port of Melbourne, major interstate freight routes, and a deep concentration of 3PL, distribution, and transport businesses. PE-backed freight platforms and strategic acquirers are actively consolidating the sector. If you've built strong customer contracts and operational capability, there are serious buyers for what you have.

Melbourne's logistics and transport M&A market

Logistics sector consolidation has accelerated across Australia, driven by e-commerce growth, supply chain investment, and PE capital flowing into freight and distribution. Melbourne's position as Australia's largest freight hub — anchored by the Port of Melbourne and the national road and rail network — makes Victorian logistics businesses particularly attractive to buyers building national networks.

The businesses attracting the most competitive acquisition interest are those with contracted revenue, established route density, specialist capability (cold chain, dangerous goods, last-mile), or infrastructure assets that are difficult to replicate. Scale matters, but specialisation matters more.

What drives valuation for a Melbourne logistics business?

EBITDA multiple
4× – 7×
Higher for contracted revenue, specialist capability, or significant asset base
Asset position
Material
Fleet, warehouse, and equipment can be included or separated — structure matters significantly for tax
Revenue quality
Contracted
Long-term supply agreements and panel contracts are the most valued revenue type
Specialist premium
Cold chain / DG
Temperature-controlled and dangerous goods capability commands meaningful premiums

Key value drivers for Melbourne logistics businesses

  • Contracted revenue — long-term customer supply agreements with volume commitments
  • Customer diversification — no single customer exceeding 20–25% of revenue
  • Specialist capability — cold chain, dangerous goods, oversized freight, or last-mile delivery
  • Established route density — particularly VIC/NSW/QLD interstate corridors with high utilisation
  • Port of Melbourne relationships — import/export freight operators with established stevedoring relationships
  • Modern, well-maintained fleet with documented service history
  • Experienced operations management — owner not required for day-to-day dispatch and route management
  • Warehouse infrastructure — owned or long-leased facilities with strategic location value

Who buys Melbourne logistics businesses?

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PE-backed freight and logistics platforms

Private equity is actively consolidating Australian logistics. PE-backed platforms are building national networks through acquisition — acquiring Melbourne operators for their Victorian customer base, route density, and operational capability. These buyers move methodically and are well-capitalised to close.

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National freight operators seeking Victorian growth

Interstate freight companies headquartered in Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth seeking to build Victorian presence through acquisition rather than organic growth. Melbourne is Australia's largest freight market, and access to established Victorian routes and customers has clear strategic value to national operators.

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3PL and supply chain strategics

Third-party logistics operators building end-to-end supply chain capability. Acquisitions targeting specific capabilities — warehousing, last-mile delivery, specialist freight — that complement an existing service offering. Often the highest-paying buyer type for businesses with genuine capability differentiation.

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International logistics groups

Global logistics companies seeking Australian market entry or expanded presence. Particularly active in sectors with international freight components — ports, customs, freight forwarding, and cold chain aligned to food export. International buyers pay strategic premiums for businesses that accelerate their local market position.

Fleet, assets, and property: structuring the deal

Asset-heavy logistics businesses require careful deal structuring. The fleet, warehouse infrastructure, and equipment base all need to be addressed — whether they're included in the enterprise value or transacted separately. If you own the warehouse property, selling it with the business or retaining it as a leaseback investment are both viable options with different tax and financial implications.

Fleet age and condition is a primary due diligence focus. Buyers will assess the remaining useful life of vehicles, maintenance records, and HVSR compliance. An aging, poorly documented fleet is a meaningful price risk. An up-to-date asset register with current valuations — ideally from an independent assessor — removes ambiguity and accelerates buyer confidence.

Frequently asked questions

Does my fleet get included in the sale price?

It depends on deal structure. In a share sale, the fleet transfers as part of the company. In an asset sale, the fleet is typically valued separately and either included in the deal or financed independently by the acquirer. Owner-operators often prefer to retain the fleet and lease it to the acquirer — a structure that provides ongoing income and retains a capital asset. Your advisor should model all options before you commit to a structure.

What if one customer makes up a large part of my revenue?

Customer concentration is the most common value risk in logistics businesses. A single customer representing 30–40% of revenue is a material due diligence concern. Buyers will either price in the risk or condition the deal on revenue retention. The best preparation is diversifying your customer base before going to market — even partially reducing concentration makes a meaningful difference to your multiple and the buyer's confidence.

My drivers are subcontractors — does that affect the sale?

Subcontractor models are common in Australian transport, and buyers understand them. However, the contractual terms of subcontractor arrangements, compliance with the Road Safety Remuneration Act provisions, and whether key drivers would remain post-sale are all due diligence issues. Having well-documented, compliant subcontractor arrangements — rather than informal handshake agreements — is important for a smooth sale process.

How does the Port of Melbourne affect my business's value?

Businesses with established import/export freight operations and port relationships — particularly those with customs brokerage, stevedoring, or freight forwarding integration — have genuine strategic value to acquirers seeking end-to-end supply chain capability. Port-connected logistics businesses attract a specific and well-capitalised buyer pool, including international freight groups seeking Australian import/export market entry.

Melbourne · Logistics & Transport Sales

Find the right buyer for your logistics business.

We connect Melbourne and Victorian logistics operators with serious, pre-qualified acquirers. Start with a confidential conversation about your business and your options.

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