DP World has launched a last-ditch bid to stop wharfies from blocking almost a dozen cargo vessels at Sydney's Port Botany over the next two weeks on the basis the action threatens to cause significant damage to the economy.

The stevedore applied to the Fair Work Commission late on Tuesday afternoon for urgent orders against "go-slows" and work bans targeting its three biggest customers from Friday, arguing they would endanger supplies of critical products and put unacceptable pressure on the NSW economy.