Exports held up by industrial action

Major shipping companies had exports delayed in December because of industrial action costing hundreds of thousands of dollars and creating a major backlog.

Global lithium producer Talison Lithium said congestion at Bunbury Port had delayed about 38,000 tonnes of shipments of lithium concentrate.

Talison marketing manager Ron Mitchell said a number of issues such as price negotiations, unplanned port shutdowns, and an increase in orders led to a backlog at the port.

The Toronto Stock Exchange listed company said quarterly lithium concentrate sales were down 23 per cent, selling 75,221 tonnes of lithium concentrate during the second quarter, compared with 97,559 tonnes last year.

Sales in the quarter were influenced by significant congestion at the port due to berth closures and shutdowns that affected all port users.

About 38,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate sales ready for shipment in early December were stalled until this month.

Mr Mitchell said the backlog was getting cleared.

Global zircon producer Iluka Resources was also forced to delay a shipment due to the industrial action.

The Bunbury Herald understands two more shipments were postponed but were rescheduled later this month.

According to the General Stevedoring Council, working days lost to industrial disputes tripled in the three months to June 30 last year, with unions seeking pay increases and better working conditions.

In December an industrial standoff at Bunbury Port escalated after the maritime union accused stevedoring company POAGS of flying in non-union labour, forcing protracted pay negotiations into a stalemate.

Unionists went on strike for days, accusing POAGS of locking workers out.