Rising Tide Activists Target Newcastle Coal Exports
The Australian climate activist group “Rising Tide” has intensified its campaign against coal exports with a protest at the Port of Newcastle. On October 29, activists marked the bulk carrier Climate Justice with the words “Tax Me” as it loaded coal destined for Japan. This demonstration precedes a larger planned blockade of the port at the end of November, aimed at drawing attention to their demands for increased taxation on coal profits.
Protest Details and Safety Concerns
During the protest, Rising Tide activists took to the waters of the Port of Newcastle, where they tagged the bulker while it was in the process of loading between 30,000 and 40,000 tons of coal. The group claims to have used chalk to inscribe their message on the hull, but port officials expressed serious safety concerns. A spokesperson for the port described the actions as “incredibly unsafe,” emphasizing that the proximity to a fully laden bulk carrier could have led to catastrophic consequences. They criticized the group for acting irresponsibly and breaking the law without proper training or supervision.
The Climate Justice, built in 2023 and registered in Cyprus, is part of a fleet renewal initiative by Safe Bulkers aimed at replacing older vessels with more energy-efficient models. This ship is equipped with advanced environmental technologies, including selective catalyst reduction and exhaust gas cleaning systems, which the activists pointed out as ironic given its name. Rising Tide is advocating for a 78 percent tax on coal export profits, similar to a tax implemented in Norway that has reportedly generated over a trillion dollars for the country’s sovereign wealth fund. They argue that current coal royalties in New South Wales are significantly lower, with only 8 to 10 percent being collected, and less than 2 percent of that returning to the Hunter region to support workers transitioning away from coal.
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Future Protests and Industry Outlook
Rising Tide’s campaign is set to escalate with planned protests from November 27 to December 2, dubbed the “People’s Blockade.” The group is urging the port to halt coal ship movements on November 29 and 30 to facilitate their demonstration. Last year, a similar protest led to a 10-day paralysis of operations at the port, which is Australia’s largest terminal for coal exports. In 2023, the port handled 150 million tonnes of coal, marking a 3.8 percent increase from the previous year.
As the global shift towards renewable energy accelerates, Australia anticipates a significant decline in coal export values, potentially dropping by up to 50 percent in the next five years. Rising Tide spokesperson Alexa Stuart criticized the federal government for lacking a comprehensive plan to secure jobs in the transitioning economy, stating that fossil fuel companies are profiting while paying lower taxes than essential workers like nurses and teachers. The CEO of the Port of Newcastle, Craig Carmody, has warned that the coal export industry could face collapse within the next decade, underscoring the urgency of the activists’ demands.
