A pay dispute continues between the tug boat operators and a shipping company at the world's largest bulk export port.

Authorities have intervened in the stoush at Port Hedland in WA’s Pilbara region.

The Fair Work Commission has been called in to mediate discussions between Canadian firm Teekay Shipping and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).

The ongoing disagreement is over a workplace deal for deckhands.

MUA says it is seeking clarity on job security, rosters, work hours and pay for its members.

MUA WA branch secretary Chris Cain has flagged the possibility of strike action in an interview with the ABC.

“There has never been a stoppage in Port Hedland or any type of strike action and we're trying to avoid that if we possibly can,” he said.

“The position with Teekay is that they want the best professional people they can get and we're saying quite clearly we can deliver that.”

The Australian Maritime Officers Union, which represents tug boat masters; and the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, representing tug boat engineers, are parties in the negotiations as well.

“Teekay is acting in good faith to reach satisfactory agreements which are subject to mediation in the Fair Work Commission,” an official statement said.

“As negotiations are continuing, we will not provide further comment at this time.”

Parties are expected to return to the Fair Work Commission with a new set of offers next week.

The talks come at the same time at MUA members protest against the Gorgon LNG project developer Chevron.

The MUA and Chevron have going back and forth for some time in stymied talks over operations on the Gorgon laydown area at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson..