Overseas interest in Melb port lease

A wide spread of international companies have shown interest in leasing Melbourne's port.

The formal transaction process has started for the 50-year lease of the port, which the government expects to net a minimum of $5.6 billion.

Ports Minister Luke Donnellan said local and international businesses had shown interest in the lease.

"It's a very wide spread of interest across the world," Mr Donnellan told reporters on Monday.

"In terms of the final price that's very much up to the market place."

Proceeds from the lease will pay for the removal of suburban rail level crossings and other infrastructure projects.

Expressions of interest close at 10am on April 18.