Industrial leverage in the supply chain: exports, contractors, and operational continuity

November is often when the supply chain reality becomes clearer: cargo windows tighten, contractors are heavily utilised, and the “single-point failure” roles become obvious. In ports, this is where IR risk tends to show up as disputes about staffing levels, overtime allocation, contractor substitution and task sequencing.

What matters from an IR management perspective is being able to demonstrate that decisions are:

• consultative where required,

• consistent with operational risk controls, and

• not simply cost-driven substitutions that undermine secure work expectations.

Practical focus this month

• Review your contractor governance and supervision lines for peak windows.

• Check that operational leaders understand dispute escalation, right of entry processes, and site access rules.

• Stress test your contingency staffing plan (who covers critical roles at short notice).

• Reconfirm permit, safety and fatigue controls in multi-user areas.

Data snapshot (selected)

• Port of Townsville (FY2024–25): 6.99m tonnes total trade; 548 vessel visits reported.

• Port of Townsville exports by commodity (FY2024–25, tonnes): sugar 1,530,634; mineral ores 1,305,562; fertiliser 704,033; refined minerals/metals 443,336; general cargo 352,059; molasses 224,265.

• Ports North (FY2024–25): 10.6m tonnes cargo; 76 large cruise visits reported.

• NQ Bulk Ports (FY2024–25): 1,716 ship visits across its four ports.