Climate activists prevent coal ships from entering the Port of Newcastle

A flotilla of climate activists blocked the entrance to the Port of Newcastle on Sunday morning, preventing the scheduled arrival of two coal ships.

The Rising Tide members entered the shipping channel aboard kayaks and a small boat displaying a banner bearing 'Stop HVO", a reference to the proposed expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine.

If approved, the expansion would result in the largest coal mine in NSW history.

The protest prevented the arrival of the coal ship Marielena, which was scheduled to arrive at 8.30am. Another ship scheduled for arrival at 9:30am, Seacon Seattle, was cancelled.

Police spoke to the boat's skipper, 85-year-old June Norman, and other boat occupant Campbell Knox.

No arrests were made.

As the world's largest coal port, Newcastle exported 149 million tonnes of coal in 2025.

The October 2025 net zero transformation report predicted the value of Australia's fossil fuel exports could decrease by about 50 per cent in the next five years.

The report said declining export values would result from both falling volumes and declining coal prices, both of which are attributed to a rapid decline in global demand.

However, the forecast is at odds with coal market analysts who believe demand for Hunter coal will remain strong, possibly through to 2040.

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