Ports of Auckland has entered a second round of staff and union consultation on a proposal to partially automate its Fergusson container terminal.

The proposal, which was announced in August 2015, involves the use of robotic straddle carriers to load and unload trucks and to move containers around the facility, retaining manual operation between the terminal and the cranes.

The company will come to a decision after this second phase of consultation, which is expected to last five weeks.

If the proposal is accepted, the project would take about three years to implement. Around 50 stevedoring roles will be eliminated, but normal staff turnover and retirement will help to manage the reduction, according to the port.