The latest round of strikes at a number of Australian ports has been resolved, but there may still be delays in the delivery of new cars to customers.
Earlier this week, strikes by Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) workers at Qube-operated ports – including Port Kembla, Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne – temporarily halted the import of around 35,000 new vehicles.
This followed the union’s Protected Industrial Action (PIA), which had been in place for months.
Car manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, Kia, Suzuki and BYD have confirmed this AutoExpert that they were affected by the industrial action, although no specific timing delays have yet been reported.
There are hundreds of new car deals available through AutoExpert now. Get the experts on your side and score a good deal. Browse now.
However, Daily freight news reports that the MUA ended its industrial action against Qube this morning, which was welcomed by the port operator.
“The end of the CFMEU’s months-long industrial relations campaign will be welcome news for the many industries, customers and communities that have experienced significant disruption since the middle of last year,” a Qube spokesperson told us. Daily freight news.
“We look forward to the ports and our workforce across the country now being fully operational again.”
The industrial action forced about a dozen ships carrying new vehicles to either remain idle outside ports on Australia’s east coast or be diverted to unaffected ports in different parts of the country, with knock-on effects due to their delayed return and replenishment of supplies at the ports of departure. .
The Australian reported earlier this week that Qube stevedores at some of the country’s largest yards are asking for better conditions and a 25 percent pay increase for annual salaries averaging $128,000.
Shipping Australia CEO Captain Melwyn Noronha said Daily freight news The end of industrial action is welcome not only for the industry, but also for the wider public.
“We are happy to see the PIA being withdrawn. Resuming freight traffic can only benefit ordinary Australian families if they can now get their essential goods delivered,” said Captain Noronha.
“We hope that the parties can now reach a fair and amicable agreement so that vital supply chain activities can return to normal.”
The temporary industrial action could still result in a delay in vehicle deliveries given the backlog of ships entering ports.
An industry insider said this AutoExpert on condition of anonymity: “This is one of those stories where the media doesn’t realize how big the storm is until people start complaining on Facebook about where their car is.
“We are at the beginning of a three-month show and potentially chronic car shortages.
“Calculate all the ships waiting to dock. And then calculate all subsequent shipments that they will be late for if they leave here empty. Shipping companies will prioritize other countries and charge Australian suppliers a premium [to ship cars here] due to the high risk of disruption.
“We are being held to ransom. In Australia the pirates are on the docks, not on the water.”
Experts have previously predicted that new vehicle deliveries in Australia will slow in 2025 compared to the record high of 2024, as supply has finally caught up – and even exceeded – demand.
MORE: Vehicle transport crisis to extend new car delivery times in Australia
