Protest didn't stop Newcastle coal ships

A protest against the expansion of Newcastle's coal industry didn't interrupt
shipping operations, the Newcastle Port Corporation says.

Hundreds of protesters, many in kayaks, took to the water off Horseshoe Beach,
Newcastle, on Sunday morning to prevent shipping movements at the world's top coal
port.

Rising Tide Newcastle spokeswoman Naomi Hodgson said the protest stopped ships from
entering and leaving the port between 10am and 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
"Today was scheduled to be a busy day in the world's busiest coal port," she said at
the end of the protest.
"Ordinarily, there would have been at least four or five coal ships move in or out
of Newcastle Harbour today, but instead there were none."
But a NSW Port Corporation spokesman said the protest did not disrupt shipping
movements on Sunday.
"We had normal port operations and a normal shipping schedule today," he told AAP.
He said two inward vessels entered Newcastle Harbour early on Sunday morning.
There were also two vessels that left the harbour.
Another three ships were due to leave the port late on Sunday evening.
"We realise they will be resuming their usual activity," Ms Hodgson conceded.
"We know that we can't stop the shipping movements for as long as we would like to
stop them.
"We would like to stop them all the time.
"(The protest) is just a way that we can make a statement."
A heavy police presence watched over the protest, including the police boat Nemesis
and several small police vessels.