Protest by Rising Tide Halts Shipping Movements for 30 Hours
Operations at the Port of Newcastle, Australia’s largest coal export port, came to a standstill on Saturday as climate change activists from the group Rising Tide orchestrated a protest, causing disruptions in the shipping channel. The demonstration, involving approximately 1,500 participants, with 300 positioned in the channel, is set to last for 30 hours, concluding at 4 p.m. (0900 GMT) on Sunday.
Australia, a significant player in the global coal export market, grapples with the contentious issue of climate change. The Port of Newcastle, situated about 170 km (105 miles) from Sydney, serves as the country’s primary terminal for coal exports.
“Shipping movements have come to a halt in the channel due to safety concerns, irrespective of their cargo,” stated a spokesperson from the Port of Newcastle. Rising Tide’s Zack Schofield confirmed no coal shipments in or out of the port since 10 a.m. on Saturday, highlighting the effectiveness of the blockade formed by a group of kayaks.
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This isn’t the first time activists have targeted the port; in April, a group faced charges for an unauthorized protest at the same location. Rising Tide aims to prevent the transport of 500,000 tonnes of coal during this blockade.
State police reported no arrests related to Saturday’s protest. The center-left Labour government in Australia, while not advocating for a complete ban on new fossil fuel projects, emphasizes the importance of “safeguard mechanism” reforms to achieve a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030. This is particularly crucial for Australia, known as one of the highest carbon emitters per capita globally.
As the protest unfolds, it reflects the ongoing tension between environmental activism and the economic significance of Australia’s coal industry, highlighting the challenges in balancing environmental concerns with economic interests.
