STORY: A climate-change protest off Australia's coast forced an inbound ship to turn back from one of the country's largest terminals for coal exports on Saturday (November 29), prompting 11 arrests.

Police in New South Wales state said those arrested were charged with "alleged marine-related offences" at the protest near the Port of Newcastle, 170 km (110 miles) from the state capital, Sydney.

The port is the largest bulk shipping port on Australia's east coast, according to the state government.

A Port of Newcastle spokesperson said one vessel was prevented from entering the port, but otherwise "shipping movements have not ceased and will continue as per program."

Climate activist group Rising Tide said the vessel, a coal ship called the Cemtex Leader, was forced to abort arrival after kayakers, a small boat and swimmers entered the shipping channel.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (NOVEMBER 29, 2025) (AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION - Broadcast: No use Australia. Digital: No use Australia / .com.au internet sites / any internet site of any Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms / Australian NVO clients / smh.com.au / news.com.au)

1. PROTEST FLOTILLA OF BOATS, KAYAKS AND CANOES ROWING TOWARDS ENTRANCE TO HUNTER RIVER AND COAL PORT / POLICE BOAT AND CARGO SHIP IN DISTANCE

2. PEOPLE ON PADDLE BOARD

3. PEOPLE IN WATER HOLDING ON TO BUOY

4. PROTEST FLOTILLA

5. PROTESTERS IN WATER NEAR EXCLUSION ZONE WITH POLICE BOAT AND CARGO SHIP IN DISTANCE

6. POLICE ON BOAT

7. POLICE BOAT

8. VARIOUS OF CROWD WATCHING CARGO SHIP ENTERING HUNTER RIVER

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) RISING TIDE COMMUNITY ORGANISER, ZACK SCHOFIELD, SAYING:

“Well today I can confirm that over a dozen people have paddled and swum and boated into the channel and an incoming coal ship, called the Cemtex Loader (Leader) has been turned around. It’s done a U-turn out there coming into the heads. We have successfully disrupted the coal industry that refuses to pay its fair share of tax and destroys the planet for profit."

10. PROTEST FLOTILLA LAUNCHING OFF BEACH

11. POLICE ON JETSKIS

12. PROTEST FLOTILLA HOLDING THEIR OARS UP

13. PEOPLE WATCHING PROTEST FLOTILLA FROM BEACH

14. PROTEST FLOTILLA