Operations at the Port of Newcastle, Australia’s largest coal export terminal, are set to resume on December 1 after multiple days of disruption caused by climate protests.
The activist group Rising Tide led the demonstration, using kayaks to block shipping lanes and breach marine safety exclusion zones, resulting in halted coal and bulk cargo shipments. Over the weekend, police arrested 141 protesters on marine-related charges.
Newcastle’s port, about 170 kilometres north of Sydney, is critical to Australia’s coal exports, which remain a significant part of the economy despite increasing environmental concerns.
Operations were paused on November 30, affecting cargo including alumina shipments for Australia’s largest aluminium smelter in Tomago. Greenpeace activists also joined, temporarily immobilising a coal ship by climbing aboard and displaying banners urging the government to stop approving new fossil fuel projects.
“Greenpeace, alongside Rising Tide and thousands of everyday people, are taking actions big and small this weekend,” Joe Rafalowicz of Greenpeace said.
Australia’s government aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62-70% from 2005 levels by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050.
However, projections predict coal production may rise due to new mining ventures, highlighting ongoing tensions between economic reliance on fossil fuels and climate commitments.