NEWCASTLE, Sunday 30 November 2025 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have scaled and blocked a coal ship, bound for the Port of Newcastle today, during the Rising Tide People’s Blockade, deploying a banner with a message to the Australian government: “Phase Out Coal and Gas”.

Photos and video here – footage to be uploaded by 2pm AEDT

Three activists are secured to the anchor chain and sides of the ship, stopping its operations, and have unfurled the five-metre-long banner in a peaceful protest demanding the Australian government set a timeline to phase out fossil fuels including exports, and stop approving new coal and gas projects.

Australian musicians Oli and Louis Leimbach from Lime Cordiale joined the action with Greenpeace while activists painted a message to the Australian government on the ship’s side, using non-toxic soluble paint, reading: “TIMELINE NOW!”

It comes after Australia signed onto the significant Belém Declaration for the Transition Away From Fossil Fuels on the sidelines of COP30 in Brazil last week, but then doubled down on its support for coal and gas.

Oli Leimbach from Australian band Lime Cordiale, who performed at Rising Tide’s Climate Concert and joined the Greenpeace action said: “Rising Tide’s Climate Concert last night was such a beautiful festival; so many passionate people came together in a peaceful way to demand change from the government. By taking action today, we added another little exclamation mark on their voices. Stoked to be here with Greenpeace — it’s time to phase out coal and gas.”

Dr. Elen O’Donnell, doctor and Greenpeace activist who boarded the vessel, said: “We are taking action today, alongside thousands of people who have joined Rising Tide’s blockade, to show Australia’s leaders that if the government won’t act, the people will. Australia is the world’s third-largest fossil fuel exporter, and its outsized role in the climate crisis calls for serious action. Every shipment of coal that leaves this port contributes to more devastating bushfires, floods and cyclones. As a doctor, I have seen first-hand the impacts of climate disasters on people in Australia and around the world — I’ve seen how our government’s obsession with fossil fuels is harming people and killing our planet.

“From the side of this vessel we can see ships far out to the horizon, many of them on their way to collect coal. These industries, and the Australian people, are owed a clear plan and timeline for the phase out of coal and gas. We are risking arrest because we don’t want a future reliant on coal and gas.”

Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “The urgency of the climate crisis cannot be understated. Fossil fuel production is soaring and pushing climate pollution to deadly new highs.

“At COP30 in Brazil, the Australian government joined the landmark Belém Declaration — its strongest statement yet that acknowledges our international commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C means no new fossil fuels. But just days later the Albanese government doubled-down on coal and gas — completely at odds with Australia’s obligation and responsibility to address emissions as one of the world’s largest coal and gas exporters. It’s a joke.

“The Albanese government continues to approve new coal and gas projects at breakneck speed, expanding production faster than any other country, and with no clear exit strategy. Australian workers, communities and the public have been left in the lurch and deserve better.

“The clean energy transition is here and there is no going back. We have the solutions and what matters is what we do now — Australia must deliver a clear timeline to phase out fossil fuels, including exports, and commit to no new fossil fuel projects. Real leadership is judged on action, not talk. 

“Greenpeace, alongside Rising Tide and thousands of everyday people, are taking actions big and small this weekend to send a united message to the Albanese government — we don’t need new fossil fuels, and we will continue to hold you to account.”

The ship was due in to port at around 12:15pm AEDT. Newcastle is the world’s biggest coal port. The Rising Tide People’s Blockade is a week-long annual peaceful protest at the Port of Newcastle calling for an end to new coal and gas projects and increased funding to support workers during the transition away from coal.

—ENDS—

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kimberley Bernard: +61 407 581 404 or kbernard@greenpeace.org or Lucy Keller: +61 491 135 308 or lkeller@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace activists block coal ship from entering world’s largest coal port at Rising Tide blockade