Activists Obstruct Ports for a Second Day

Climate activists have launched national action at Australian Ports for a second day, with the public warned to brace for rolling protests nationwide. Queensland police were alerted to a man who suspended himself over Pritchard Street – leading to the Port of Brisbane – about 6.20am, blocking all eastbound lanes.

Colless Young has sent out a broadcast to all our clients, advising that in the case of any deliveries that were planned and may be affected, our transport team will contact with them directly.

Blockade Australia launched a simultaneous protest in Melbourne, blocking Webb Dock Road in front of the Port of Melbourne gates. A male protester refused orders to lower himself, and thousands of motorists were stranded as traffic ground to a halt.

It is the second consecutive day of protests after activists targeted ports in Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne on Monday on the anniversary of a high-profile raid – the same date that a rural property in Colo, north-west of Sydney, was raided last year.

Three people have been arrested and charged over their involvement in the Monday protests, which were also live-streamed to social media.

Monday’s port protests were held on Governments in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia have recently moved to clamp down on climate protesters, passing legislation to steeply increase jail time and fines for disrupting major roads and facilities.

Queensland Police said a man has been taken into custody in relation to Tuesday morning’s climate demonstration. “Officers were called the incident around 6.30am, to reports a man had stopped traffic on both side of the Port of Brisbane motorway,” a spokesperson said.

“The man was arrested just before 8am. Investigations are ongoing.”

The motorway has since reopened but motorists are advised to expect delays.

Moments later another Blockade Australia protester, known only as Munro, began a live-stream from the Port of Melbourne. The 26-year-old had suspended himself over Web Dock Drive by a monopole from about 7.20am on Tuesday, blocking a container terminal.

Truck drivers could be heard shouting during the live-stream, with one driver telling Nine News on Tuesday morning he was frustrated by the delays.

It comes after demonstrators from the climate group targeted the country’s biggest coal ports and disrupted both shipments and traffic about the same time on Monday.

If you have any concerns, please contact one of Colless Young’s team members.

Colless Young is a Licensed Customs Broker and International Freight Forwarder. We offer professional advice on all aspects of import and export procedures, including clearance through Customs and Quarantine, at all Australian ports and airports. Our logistics services cover airfreight and sea cargo, including fumigation, warehousing and trucking.