The Fremantle wharfies’ union and stevedoring company Patrick are at the negotiation table again and appear to be making amends after last month’s industrial action over a pay dispute.

A Patrick spokeswoman said there were two days of negotiations at a national level this week, which would resume again after the Maritime Union of Australia had consulted at a local level.

With negotiations set to resume within two weeks, she said the MUA had agreed to forgo any further industrial action while negotiations were ongoing.

With a new competitor Hutchinson Port Holdings due to enter the market in three years in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the spokeswoman said it was crucial the company remained competitive.