Multi-agency efforts recognised following Rising Tide protest

Port Authority of NSW has thanked agencies including the NSW Police Force, Transport for NSW (Maritime), Svitzer tug operators and the Port of Newcastle for their critical work over the past week in keeping trade moving despite periods of unsafe protest activity that disrupted some scheduled shipping movements during the Rising Tide protest.

Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said that through the coordinated multi-agency effort led by NSW Police, Port Authority safely completed 50 scheduled ship movements from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December, while there were repeated attempts by protesters to breach the exclusion zones designed to protect maritime workers, the public and environment.

“The combined efforts of all agencies involved ensured the port remained safe and operational, but the increasingly extreme actions of some protestors are concerning,” Mr McKenna said.

“These unsafe actions forced the temporary suspension of shipping and led to five vessel movements being impacted including two non-coal carriers.
“We respect and support the right for authorised protests, including Rising Tide; however, the unpredictable and unsafe behaviour of some protestors has become more extreme each year.

“Unfortunately, this year we saw examples of behaviours where there was a blatant disregard for safety advice, exclusion zones, maritime security zones at terminals and an alleged dangerous breach of maritime safety laws through the attempts to board a commercial ship at sea – a first for this event.

“Without coordinated efforts, led by police, these actions risk putting local maritime workers, visiting seafarers and our first responders directly in harm’s way.
“All shipping movements over the weekend were conducted in consultation with NSW Police, who were instrumental in keeping the channel clear so movements could resume as quickly as possible following disruption.”

Mr McKenna also acknowledged Port Authority workers, including the Harbour Master, deputy harbour masters, manager marine services, marine pilots, vessel traffic service operators and marine crews, who he said showed remarkable focus and resilience.

“I am incredibly proud of our people at Port Authority who got on with their job of keeping scheduled ships moving despite disruptions. I’m also grateful for their continued work to move any impacted trade in and out of the port to ensure there is minimal impact on the supply chain, including critical NSW industries and local businesses.”

Newcastle is one of the country’s largest tonnage throughput ports exporting valuable bulk cargo such as coal, grain, vegetable oils, alumina, fertiliser and ore to markets overseas, and a promising cruise destination.

Two cruise ship visits scheduled to arrive over the period of the protest were also cancelled in advance by cruise lines due to anticipated disruption, affecting local businesses and regional tourism operators.

Mr McKenna said Port Authority would continue its focus on supporting the supply chain and keeping NSW trade and tourism moving.

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