Fremantle Ports is preparing for further industrial action following a 48-hour stoppage by Vessel Traffic Services officers and Small Craft personnel that concluded at 5:30 am today.

According to Fremantle Ports, the previous strike’s impact was largely mitigated, thanks to planning and collaboration between Fremantle Ports and its stakeholders, ensuring that landside operations and cargo discharge and loading remained relatively unaffected.

Read more: CTAA issues update on Fremantle strike

Jamie Allardice, General Manager of Commercial and Customer, Fremantle Ports, expressed gratitude to all involved in maintaining port operations during the strike and encouraged ongoing engagement as the port resumes full operations. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in supporting our operations over the past 48 hours,” Allardice stated, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration.

However, the threat of further disruption looms as a notice of additional industrial action has been received, set to begin at 5:30 am on Sunday, 25 August 2024. Initially scheduled as a 24-hour stoppage, the strike has now been extended to 48 hours. In response, a meeting with the Marine Services bargaining group has been scheduled to reach an agreement and avoid further disruptions.

Fremantle Ports remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations, conducted in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect, will lead to a resolution before the next round of industrial action begins. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining whether the port can continue to operate without significant interruptions in the coming weeks.