Port of Broome Industrial Action Threatens Cruise Turnarounds

Updated September 15, 2026

Industrial action at the Port of Broome has begun affecting cruise operations. Ponant's Le Jacques Cartier remained offshore during its scheduled call, with passengers transferred ashore by the ship's tenders. Stevedoring and maintenance employees walked off the job after negotiations with Kimberley Ports Authority over wages and conditions failed to produce an agreement.

Cruise crews have also had to load provisions by hand rather than rely on stevedores and cranes. The port remains open, with pilotage and towage available, but the stoppages are affecting normal berthing, passenger transfers and vessel resupply arrangements.

Le Jacques Cartier operates from offshore

Le Jacques Cartier, which carries about 184 passengers, had been scheduled to berth at KPA's main wharf before a 10-night sailing to Darwin. Instead, the ship stayed offshore while its tenders carried passengers to the slipway near the wharf. Ponant Explorations CEO Deb Corbett said the company was making the necessary arrangements to manage the ship's schedule and would update guests directly.

Shayne Murray, whose bus company regularly handles cruise passenger transfers, said using the slipway was "not ideal" but was working with favorable tide and wind conditions. Cruise movements in Broome typically involve transfers between the port and the visitor and cruise meeting point at Napier Terrace in Chinatown.

Discovery One Cruises owner Erie Astrup said her crews had been loading provisions from the slipway instead of using stevedores and cranes. "I support the negotiations that are going on but it really does have a huge knock-on effect for the whole community, all the tourism industry, the small businesses," she said.

Other cruise calls fall within the action period

The notified action covers KPA Terminal 1 through August 22 and Kimberley Marine Support Base Terminal 2 from August 7 to August 22. Terminal 2's floating wharf and landside support areas were developed to allow vessels to berth without waiting for tides in Broome's tidal harbour.

Other scheduled calls within the notified period include Seabourn Pursuit, an expedition ship with capacity for 264 passengers, which is due at Broome on August 14 at the end of a Darwin-to-Broome itinerary. Ponant's Le Soléal, which carries about 264 passengers, is due on August 18.

Inchcape Shipping Services had warned customers that service availability was unclear and that "existing work bans, including restrictions on overtime and shift extensions, also remain in place." It also said KPA was willing to support cruise vessels operating from anchorage if necessary, an arrangement now used for Le Jacques Cartier.

Conciliation underway

KPA had sought exemptions for scheduled cruise calls, but Inchcape said the Maritime Union of Australia declined those requests. KPA then engaged legal representation and sought an expedited Fair Work Commission hearing in an attempt to obtain a stay for affected cruise vessels.

The Fair Work Commission is now assisting with conciliation. KPA said it would continue meeting employees and the union and "bargain in good faith" to resolve the outstanding issues. The parties are due to meet again.

MUA Western Australia branch secretary Will Tracey said the action was a last resort after negotiations that began in October. "Broome tradesmen are paid the lowest rates for tradesmen at port authorities in the state," he said. "The cost of living has only increased since the last agreement was done and there should be a reflection of that within the Broome area allowance, which compensates for the excessive cost of living across the Kimberley."

Passengers embarking or disembarking in Broome should monitor direct communications from their cruise line or travel adviser, particularly for changes to transfer, boarding and luggage arrangements.