March 28 (Bloomberg) -- Coal shipments from Australia’s Newcastle port, the world’s biggest export harbor for the fuel used in power stations, are expected to continue as protesters attempt to blockade the shipping channel.
“Our focus is on maintaining port operations,” Keith Powell, a spokesman for Newcastle Port Corp., said in an interview. “We had vessels come in and out this morning. The afternoon schedule depends on loading rates.”
Environmental protest group Rising Tide Australia has organized the action, objecting to the effect of coal burning on the global climate. It has as many as 70 small craft on the water, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Rio Tinto Group, Xstrata Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. are among mining companies that ship coal from the harbor.
Powell said the shipping channel is open and there is a police presence on the water to ensure it stays that way. Rising Tide holds the protest annually, so the port company and authorities were forewarned, he said.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, partly owned by BHP Billiton, last week began loading its first cargo from a terminal at Newcastle after spending more than A$1 billion ($906 million) on the facility.
Protesters also attempted to block the berthing of the first ship to use the new terminal.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tracy Withers at twithers@bloomberg.net
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