The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stands in full support of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in opposing DP World’s proposed automation plan of its terminals at the ports of Melbourne and Brisbane.
The MUA has confirmed that these automation plans have been initiated outside the existing Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) process, breaching the commitments made between the company and its workforce.
ITF policy is clear and unwavering: there must be no implementation of automation without agreement. No decision should be made without the full agreement of the workforce. This principle is central to ensuring that workers have a say in shaping the future of their jobs and their industry. Yet in the last six months, there have been no meaningful discussions with the MUA.
The ITF is extremely concerned by the timing of this decision by DP World Australia’s Board, which comes during a federal election campaign in Australia. It appears politically and ideologically motivated, rather than being driven by operational necessity or genuine consultation. The impacts of such a decision — made without agreement — will be devastating for the DP World workforce in Australia.
This move follows a broader and troubling trend of adversarial industrial relations by DP World in Australia, standing in stark contrast to other stevedores. Just this week, in a historic achievement, the Patrick Stevedore 2026 Enterprise Agreement was endorsed by members across all four of Patrick’s Australian container terminals — a full eight months before the expiry of the current agreement. That agreement was reached through genuine negotiation and with almost unanimous support from the membership nationwide.
DP World is one of the world’s most profitable terminal operators. It can afford to modernise in ways that protect jobs and improve safety.
The ITF calls on DP World to halt its automation plans immediately and return to the table to engage in genuine, good-faith negotiations with the MUA.
This process must not move forward without the agreement of the workforce.
