Industrial action and congestion have both hindered Australian port growth.

While industrial unrest has been a major worry for the ports industry in both Australia and New Zealand, from an Australian perspective the biggest worry is congestion at its two largest container ports.

Shipping Australia issued figures to show that in a seven week period to October 20, 12 container carriers lost A$12.12m (US$12.07m) over 84 voyages in additional fuel costs as a result of delays waiting at the berth in Sydney’s Port Botany and/or speeding up in an attempt to maintain schedule integrity.