World’s Largest Bulk Export Port Witnesses Workers’ Strike Over Pay Dispute

More workers joined a strike at BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia on Sunday, with about 150 workers now taking part in the two-day industrial action, a union spokesperson said.

Around 100 workers stopped work at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, the second day of the planned stoppage. The action followed a 24-hour halt to ship loading that began at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The strike is the first major industrial action at the Port Hedland iron ore export hub in 25 years. The three unions involved are seeking a four-year agreement with BHP, the world’s third-largest iron ore miner.

The Combined BHP Ports Unions (CBPU) represents part of BHP’s workforce of more than 800 people at the port. The unions went ahead with the strike despite progress in talks with the company on Aug. 4.

BHP, which is based in Melbourne, ships about $80 million worth of iron ore through Port Hedland every day. The company said on Aug. 8 that vessels were still being loaded, with scheduled departures subject to normal port planning and tides.

BHP did not immediately respond on Aug. 9 to a request for comment on the impact of the strike on its operations.

Workers are expected to return at 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 10. The CBPU spokesperson said negotiations with BHP are due to resume on Aug. 18.

Port Hedland’s role in iron ore exports

Port Hedland is a major export hub for iron ore from Western Australia’s Pilbara region. It accounted for 75% of the region’s iron ore exports in the year to June 2026.

The strike is not expected to affect rival miners Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting, which also use the port.

The industrial action has so far focused on BHP workers and its ship-loading operations at Port Hedland.

The first 24-hour stoppage began on Aug. 8, followed by another 24-hour stoppage from 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 9.

With workers due back on Monday, the next focus will be on the Aug. 18 negotiations and whether the unions and BHP can reach an agreement on a new four-year contract.

References: Reuters, Bloomberg