Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union have moved forward with their formal mediation plans.
The parties have applied to start facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority in an attempt to end the eight-month dispute over the workers' collective contract.
The port company says it hopes that will help negotiations by providing clear recommendations by a neutral and experienced third party.
It says there is a deadlock between the parties that needs to be broken and facilitation provides some chance that will happen.
