Coal ships wait to be loaded at the world's biggest coal export terminal in Newcastle, located north of Sydney in this March 11, 2007 file photograph: REUTERS/David Gray
Nov 30 (Reuters) – One of Australia’s biggest coal export ports resumed operations on Monday, the port operator said, after climate-change protesters disrupted shipping at the Port of Newcastle for a second day on Sunday.
Climate activist group Rising Tide, which claimed responsibility for the latest protest, said hundreds of activists paddled kayaks into the shipping lane of Newcastle Harbour on Sunday morning, violating an exclusion zone.
The port, 170 km (110 miles) north of New South Wales state capital Sydney, is the largest bulk shipping port on the east coast of Australia, a nation where climate change is a divisive issue.
“Vessel ops will resume tomorrow as scheduled,” a Port of Newcastle spokesperson said late on Sunday, after general cargo movements, including alumina bound for Australia’s largest aluminum smelter, Tomago, were aborted due to the protest.
Rising Tide said more than 100 protesters were arrested on Sunday. Police did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the number, but said in an earlier statement that 21 people were arrested and charged with “alleged marine-related offenses” at the protest.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific said three of its activists climbed onto a coal ship near the port, stopping it from operating, as part of what it said was a peaceful protest.
“Greenpeace, alongside Rising Tide and thousands of everyday people, are taking actions big and small this weekend,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific head of climate and energy Joe Rafalowicz said in a statement.
On Saturday, a protest at Newcastle forced an inbound ship to turn back and police made 11 arrests. A similar multi-day climate action occurred last year, when 170 protesters were arrested.
Coal is one of Australia’s top commodity exports, along with iron ore. Australia’s government has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.This article contains reporting from Reuters, published under license.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Australia has selected the ANL Kokoda as the first vessel in its Strategic Fleet Pilot Program, launching a key element of the Albanese government’s plan to rebuild the nation’s sovereign...
Dry bulk shipping takeover drama intensified Thursday as Diana Shipping Inc. raised its all-cash offer for Genco Shipping & Trading Limited to $24.80 per share, increasing pressure on Genco’s board...
Danish shipping giant D/S NORDEN says the ongoing Persian Gulf conflict and disruption to the Strait of Hormuz are having sharply different effects across global shipping markets, hammering dry cargo...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
