Fremantle Port is being forced to comply with more than a dozen restrictions on its management and operations as the Barnett Government continues to push ahead with its stalled privatisation process.

Key points: Fremantle Port one of a series of assets the Government hopes to sell off

Fremantle Port one of a series of assets the Government hopes to sell off But the process has stalled, as Nationals refuse to back sale

But the process has stalled, as Nationals refuse to back sale WA Treasurer denies restrictions in place because of the privatisation bid are hampering operations

The port's statement of corporate intent, tabled in State Parliament, lists a range of conditions requiring it give written notice and consult with ministers or the Department of Treasury on key planning and operational decisions.

Fremantle Port is one of a string of government assets targeted for sale by the Barnett Government in its effort to pay down state debt, now forecast to exceed $40 billion by 2020.

But the asset sales program has been plagued with problems with only one major asset, the Perth Marketing Authority, so far sold.

In its statement, Fremantle Port said it would take "some time" before there was certainty over the sale process, and that it was "not in the interests" of the port or its users to do anything that that "could be adverse to the government's intentions if the sale process was to proceed."

"The intent of Fremantle Ports in this regard is to refrain from making significant decisions without consulting the Minister, Treasurer or their nominees until the nature of the divestment process and its outcome become clearer," the statement said.

As a result, the port has specified 13 issues requiring ministerial or departmental advice and consultation before any decision can be made.

The conditions range from any new contract above $500,000, to any capital expenditure exceeding $1 million.

The conditions also include extending or amending any contract or changing the terms of employment for any employee with a base salary greater than $250,000.

Uncertainty causing headache for operations: Opposition

Opposition spokesman on ports, Bill Johnston, said the continuing uncertainty over the stalled sale process was placing an unnecessary constraint on the normal management of the port.

"[It's] clear the Government is not letting the port get on with business down there, because they are fattening the cow for sale," he said.

"The Government is clearly getting in the way of the proper management of the port."

But Treasure Mike Nahan denied this was the case.

"Fremantle Port has implemented arrangements that recognise the divestment process but ensure there is no consequent disruption to trade, or adverse impact on utilisation of the port," he said in a statement to the ABC.

Dr Nahan said any decision on whether to lift the limitations on the port will be considered in the coming months, depending on progress with the privatisation.

"However, the Government remains committed to the long-term lease of Fremantle Port; as long as the divestment process remains in progress, the requirement for FPA to consult with Treasury on relevant matters will remain," he said.

When and if the privatisation proceeds remains an open question.

The Government has been getting ready to sell the port since it first announced the plan in the 2015 state budget.

But the sale process ran aground in March this year, when the WA Nationals walked out of negotiations with the Government over access and pricing arrangements.

Then-leader of the Nationals, Terry Redman, said his party could not support the proposed sale legislation because it did not clearly protect the interests of port users.

In May, Dr Nahan introduced amended legislation designed to address the Nationals concerns, suggesting the Government remained hopeful of convincing their alliance partner to support the sale.

But new Nationals Leader Brendon Grylls has told the ABC the party's position remains unchanged, and the Nationals will not support selling Fremantle Port.

Mr Johnston said the Government should just abandon the idea.

"The only way to put the interests of the state first is not to privatise the port ... and let the port get on with business," he said.