The Fair Work Commission has taken steps to stop an indefinite employer lockout that threatens to shut down ports around the country and disrupt grain exports and food imports.

Vice president Adam Hatcher late on Tuesday engaged rarely-used powers to notify the country’s biggest tug boat operator, Svitzer, and maritime unions that the commission would hold a hearing on whether to suspend or terminate Svitzer’s upcoming lockout of its workforce due to the risk it may cause significant damage to the economy.