Police Charge 11 Protesters After Climate Flotilla Blocks Coal Ship at Newcastle Harbour

Flotilla forces coal ship to turn around

On Saturday, 29 November 2025, climate activists from Rising Tide successfully prevented the coal carrier Cemtex Leader from entering Port of Newcastle — the world’s largest coal export port — as part of a high-profile protest and blockade. Dozens of kayaks, small boats and swimmers entered the shipping channel, prompting the vessel to abort its entry and turn around.

Organisers described the action as part of a broader “protestival” calling for an end to new coal and gas projects, a phased exit from fossil fuel exports, and greater investment in a fair transition for workers.

11 charged, dozens more arrested

Following the disruption, police swiftly moved in. According to authorities, 11 people — part of the flotilla — have been charged with marine-related offences for entering a declared marine exclusion zone.

Rising Tide claims a total of 19 arrests, though some detainees were apparently released without charges. The formal charges against the 11 include entering prohibited waters and breaching anti-protest laws. Under the current legal regime, offenders face penalties ranging from fines (up to approximately A$1,100) to prison sentences of up to two years for serious breaches.

One parent who joined the flotilla, later arrested, said the personal risk of arrest “pales into insignificance compared to the consequences of runaway climate change.”

Police, Port Authorities and Government respond

Authorities emphasised a strict “zero-tolerance” approach to any action that might endanger waterway safety or interfere with commercial shipping. The marine exclusion zone — in effect for the duration of the protest — had been issued by maritime regulators to prevent disruptions to port operations.

Despite last year’s challenges — when a court struck down a similar exclusion zone for being improperly imposed under the law — the exclusion zone this time remained legally upheld. Protesters were warned in advance that breaching it would carry criminal consequences.

What activists say — and what they demand

Activists say the blockade and flotilla represent urgent, necessary civil disobedience in response to what they describe as “the government’s failure” to act meaningfully on climate change.

Their demands include:

• An immediate halt to new coal and gas project approvals.
• A fair transition plan for workers and communities reliant on fossil-fuel industries.
• Expansion of green jobs and increased investment in climate mitigation — rather than continued reliance on coal exports.

Greens leader Larissa Waters was among those participating in the flotilla, reiterating that the protest was peaceful and aimed at pushing for long-term environmental and social justice. au.news.yahoo.com+1

Broader significance — climate protest meets law enforcement

The flotilla and subsequent arrests highlight the growing tension in Australia between escalating climate activism and legal efforts to regulate protest tactics. With the Port of Newcastle handling hundreds of millions of tonnes of coal exports annually, interruptions — even brief ones — have major economic and political implications.

Campaigners argue that traditional channels of advocacy have failed to yield real change, and that direct action — even with risk of arrest — is necessary to force public and political attention on climate issues. Others, including port operators and industry groups, warn such protests could endanger public safety and disrupt essential commerce.

What’s next

• The 11 charged protesters are expected to face court in coming weeks; some may plead not guilty — as has been the case with previous protest trials tied to the fossil-fuel blockades.
• Organisers say more actions are planned over the coming days, including further water-based blockades and public demonstrations — asserting the protest will continue until political leaders commit to ending coal exports.
• The legal outcomes may test the boundaries of protest laws in NSW, especially as they relate to disruptions at major commercial infrastructure and the rights of citizens to civil disobedience in response to environmental crises.