Dockers in Australia call for AI regulations to protect jobs and ensure safety in ports amid rising automation and potential job losses.
Australian dockers have urged the government to introduce regulations on artificial intelligence in critical supply chain sectors, including stevedoring and port services, reports London's Port Technology International.
The call comes as automation and AI initiatives are being advanced at DP World container terminals in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, which together handle a significant share of Australia's container traffic.
The Maritime Union of Australia and the leftist Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research issued a report warning that up to 1,000 jobs, more than 60 percent of the workforce, could be affected.
The proposed changes include driverless vehicles and remotely operated cranes. The report linked the shift to cost reduction and profitability while noting the impact of rising landside fees on businesses and consumers. It also raised concerns over alignment with the Government's National AI Plan, which requires consultation with workers and unions.
Recommendations include stricter oversight and transparency in workplace AI systems, protections for worker data, and measures to prioritize safety and job security. The report also called for stronger tax transparency and action against profit shifting.
Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary Jake Field stated that DP World's Australian ports were paralyzed two years ago by a major cyberattack. Mr. Field warned that embedding AI and automation software susceptible to infiltration would be 'pure insanity' and argued that expanding AI-driven automation poses wider risks to national supply chains and economic stability.
The report was presented at Parliament House as part of a broader call for policy measures to strengthen supply chain resilience and limit exposure to external pressures.
