DP World Australia COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

Sydney, 16 September 2021: DP World Australia has today announced its decision to mandate vaccination for its workforce. DP World Australia strongly supports COVID-19 vaccination and consistent with the Australian Government's advice, this will enable us to move towards living with COVID-19.

As a tier 1 employer, with essential workers interacting with vessel crews at ports of entry, our employees and their families have been eligible for priority access to vaccinations since March 2021.

DP World Australia has been reviewing our risk controls to ensure the ongoing safety of employees and maintaining operational continuity to keep vital supplies moving across the Australian supply chain.

In light of the positive COVID-19 case at our Port Botany terminal this week, 36 employees have been deemed close contacts using NSW Health guidelines. This group of employees and contractors are now in self isolation for a minimum of 14 days. A further 63 employees and contractors have been deemed casual contacts and are unable to return to work until a negative COVID test.

This has had a significant impact on our operations and risk exposure to our employees, not withstanding, we have a comprehensive Covid safety management plan in place. We have further made the decision to make COVID-19 vaccination for all employees and contractors a condition of engagement. Employees will need to ensure they have received their first dose by Friday, 15 October 2021 and a second dose by no later than Monday, 15 November 2021.

Despite some disruption to our Port Botany terminal, we have maintained vessel operations and delivery from our road transport customers.

We have commenced consultation with our workforce and our health and safety representatives to discuss the details of the policy and rollout.

CEO Andrew Adam said:

“As a critical part of the Australian supply chain, DP World Australia needs to ensure the ongoing safety of employees and maintaining business continuity of import and export cargo.

The recent experience at Port Botany and the resulting 36 close contacts so far, who are now required to self-isolate for 14 days, has highlighted to DP World that vaccination status plays a key role in reducing the exposure risks.

Applying the NSW Health guidelines, had all of the 36 employees been fully vaccinated, only 4 would have been self-isolating for 14 days, which would have meant negligible impact on our operations. We will always continue to ensure the health and safety of our workforce and by taking this step we ensure we are taking all reasonable steps to create a safe workplace for all.”