AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN SHIP BAN ENDS BUT NSW PORTS HITTug crews in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and Western Australia yesterday lifted their ban on foreign-flag ships carrying containers but NSW ports are still being disrupted by a separate dispute, shipping sources said
    The ban, imposed a week ago over a pay claim, had prevented the movement in or out of port of nearly 20 vessels, they said
    The pay dispute went before a hearing of the Arbitration Commission today
    Meanwhile, disruption began today to cargo handling in the ports of Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla, they said
    The industrial action at the NSW ports is part of the week of action called by the NSW Trades and Labour Council to protest changes to the state's workers' compensation laws
    The shipping sources said the various port unions appear to be taking it in turn to work for a short time at the start of each shift and then to walk off
    Cargo handling in the ports has been disrupted, with container movements most affected, but has not stopped altogether, they said
    They said they could not say how long the disruption will go on and what effect it will have on shipping movements
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