December 1, 2025 - Operations at the Port of Newcastle — Australia's largest coal export hub — were disrupted over 29 November-1 December by the People's Blockade climate protests. Climate activists blocked ships from entering the port and earlier today chained themselves to coal loaders and conveyor belts.

The demonstrators have since been arrested and taken off-site, a spokesperson for climate activist group Rising Tide told Argus on 1 December.

Activists started the People's Blockade protest on 27 November and blocked multiple vessels from entering Newcastle Port over 29-30 November. But the Port of Newcastle continued vessel scheduling over those two days and the impact on overall operations was minimal, a port spokesperson told Argus.

Greenpeace activists on 30 November attached themselves to the Liberian-flagged Yangze 16, preventing it from entering Newcastle Port. The ship will deliver 78,841t of high-calorific value (CV) thermal coal to a Malaysian buyer around 23 December, data from Kpler show. It reached Newcastle Port on 1 December.

Kayaking protestors also prevented two ships from entering the port over 29-30 November. The Marshall Islands-flagged Ragnar entered Newcastle Port on 1 December and will carry 92,286t of high-CV coal to Taiwan. Activists stopped it from docking on 30 November.

Singaporean-flagged Cemtex Leader is on the way to Japan with 81,989t of high-CV coal. It entered Newcastle Port late on 29 November, after activists blocked it earlier in the day. The ship departed Newcastle on 1 December.

People's Blockade activists ignored a maritime exclusion zone created by New South Wales (NSW) state regulator Transport for NSW during their protest. Vessels including kayaks needed approval from maritime and police authorities to pass through large parts of Newcastle harbour on 28 November-1 December, the regulator said in November.

NSW police arrested 141 demonstrators, including 18 juveniles, over 29-30 December, it said. Activists could be jailed for up to two years and face fines under various protest-related laws.

Exports from the Port Waratah Coal Services' (PWCS) terminals in Newcastle reached a 2025-high in October. Producers shipped 9.2mn t of coal out of the terminals in the month, up by 5.7pc on the year.

Argus' Australian NAR 6,000 kcal/kg fob Newcastle price has been rising over the last month. It was last assessed at $109.54/t on 28 November, up from $104.73/t on 3 November.