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Posted by Allen Newton
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12 Aug, 2026
CRUISE ship arrivals into Broome have been disrupted as stevedores and maintenance workers at the Kimberley Ports Authority (KPA) begin a two‑week period of protected industrial action.
The move is forcing operators to hand‑load provisions and ferry passengers ashore by tender.
ABC Kimberley reports that workers walked off the job last Friday after failing to reach agreement with KPA over wages, conditions and regional allowances.
According to the ABC, two livestock ships and seven cruise vessels were scheduled to berth at Broome this week, with another 12 vessels due at the adjacent private jetty.
Instead, cruise operators have shifted to manual loading from the slipway, with larger vessels — including Ponant’s Le Jacques Cartier — remaining offshore and transferring passengers via tenders.
Local tourism operators told the ABC the disruption is having a “huge knock‑on effect” on the short Kimberley season.
Additional industry notices circulated to port users indicate the stoppage covers both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with rolling 24‑hour work bans affecting stevedoring and mooring availability.
These advisories state KPA has sought exemptions for cruise vessels during the protected action period, but these applications were declined by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).
KPA has also engaged legal representation and is seeking an expedited Fair Work Commission hearing to obtain a stay of the action for cruise‑related operations.
The MUA’s position, as reported by ABC Kimberley, centres on wage parity and cost‑of‑living pressures.
MUA WA branch secretary Will Tracey said Broome tradespeople were paid the lowest rates of any port authority in Western Australia and argued the Broome area allowance should be increased to reflect the region’s high living costs.
The union describes the stoppage as a “last resort” after months of stalled negotiations.
KPA told the ABC it would continue to meet with employees and the union and “bargain in good faith” to resolve outstanding items, with the Fair Work Commission now assisting in conciliation.
The parties are due to meet again today.
No operational safety alerts have been issued, and pilotage and towage remain available, but stevedoring capacity is limited during the protected action period.
The strike is the second major industrial action in northern WA in less than a week, following unrelated stoppages at BHP’s Port Hedland operations.
Cruise operators warn that a prolonged dispute could significantly affect the region’s peak season, with several vessels already adjusting schedules and logistics to manage the disruption.
