Ports and Logistics

DP World axes more staff in Australia as strikes resurface

Strikes across DP World facilities in Australia resurfaced today as the terminal operator announced more redundancies. DP World Australia today announced redundancies of 200 stevedores nationwide, comprised of 100 stevedores in Sydney, and 100 stevedores in Melbourne. These are in addition to approximately 50 stevedores already leaving the company in Melbourne this week through voluntary redundancies.

News of the redundancies caught many workers by surprise. The strikes have been ongoing over fears of greater automation, as well as demands for better pay.

“This is corporate bullying and intimidation using the livelihoods of wharfies in an attempt to intimidate the workforce into accepting anything the company wants.

“This situation, where a massive multinational company is showing total contempt for Australian workers and their families, shows once again how broken our country’s workplace laws are,” said Maritime Union of Australia assistant national secretary Warren Smith today.

The ongoing industrial action has seen many ships divert to alternative terminals.

“Four vessels have been redirected to other stevedores in July to mitigate delays, and we estimate 40 vessels and up to 110,000 containers will be delayed,” said Andrew Adam, chief operating officer at DP World Australia.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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