Port workers and maritime unions are escalating their opposition to any move to privatise Lyttelton Port, alleging a takeover proposal from global terminal operator DP World is imminent, despite assurances from the council owned company that controls the port.

The Maritime Union of New Zealand and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union claimed Lyttelton Port Company management advised staff that an unsolicited takeover and operational lease proposal from Dubai headquartered logistics giant DP World would formally arrive on 18 June.

The unions described the alleged proposal as a “backdoor privatisation push” and accused port leadership of failing to be transparent with workers and the wider community.

Sources within the port workforce told the unions that Lyttelton Port Company Chief Executive Graeme Sumner informed staff of the impending proposal during an internal meeting.

The unions also claimed directors of Christchurch City Holdings Limited had been booked on a tour of port infrastructure.

The latest claims come just days after the Maritime Union confirmed it was preparing an industrial and community campaign to block any attempt to hand the port to a private operator.

Maritime Union National Secretary Carl Findlay said the union’s opposition was based on principle.

“Our primary concern is that port privatisation is a short sighted agenda driven purely by profit rather than the public good or the needs of the regional economy,” he said.

Findlay said a private global operator such as DP World would pursue maximum returns through cost cutting, increased fees and workforce reductions.

“The port is already highly profitable and returning record revenues to the community under public control.”

The union pointed to Ports of Auckland as a warning, citing industrial conflict and a failed automation programme between 2012 and 2022.

Findlay said the union’s National Council had resolved to launch a joint campaign with the Rail and Maritime Transport Union and the Maritime Union of Australia.

“There is no community mandate for the selling out of our strategic assets,” he said.

Lyttelton Maritime Union Secretary Gerard Loader said workers feared the impact would extend well beyond the port gates.

“Robots don’t pay tax. Robots don’t pay rates or buy things from local businesses or buy properties or pay rent. Robots don’t coach the local children or join the local volunteers,” he said.

Loader said Christchurch risked losing a long term income stream in exchange for a one off payment.

In Thursday’s statement, Loader described the reported proposal as “a coordinated ambush on a profitable public asset that belongs to the people of Christchurch.”

He said unions had successfully opposed privatisation efforts at Ports of Auckland and argued the Auckland port was now delivering strong returns under public ownership.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union Lyttelton Branch Secretary Mark Wilson said DP World had a concerning track record in Australia.

“DP World in Australia are known for paying little or no Australian corporate income tax in some years, exporting profits as management fees to a parent company, reducing labour share of revenue, introducing massive fee hikes for port users, and failing to meet capital investment commitments,” Wilson said.

“If a multinational network operator like DP World captures Lyttelton Port, it will mean skyrocketing costs for local businesses, the systematic stripping of community wealth, the degradation of critical safety standards, and widespread job losses on the waterfront.”

The unions are calling on Christchurch City councillors to reject any proposal that would result in privatisation or foreign control of the port and to ensure it remains fully publicly owned.

Christchurch City Holdings Limited, which owns Lyttelton Port Company on behalf of Christchurch City Council, has previously moved to dampen speculation.

Chief Executive Matthew Slater said CCHL was aware of speculation regarding DP World’s interest in the port but had no plans to consider changes to the ownership structure.

“CCHL has no plans to review or consider changes to the current ownership structure of LPC. Furthermore, any decision relating to the ownership of strategic assets is a matter for Council,” Slater said.

The unions say they have been lobbying Christchurch City Council and Christchurch City Holdings Limited on the issue for at least three years and are seeking a meeting with port management.