Regional Coal: Blockade of Australian coal port end

A Greenpeace blockade of Australia's Newcastle port, the world's largest coal-export harbor, ended after police towed away the group's Rainbow Warrior ship that was obstructing a channel used by coal vessels, agency reported.

The ship has been towed out of the channel, where it had blocked access to two coal terminals in Newcastle harbor, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Sydney, since just before 7 a.m. local time Wednesday.

Newcastle port handles mostly thermal coal, used in power stations, from the Hunter Valley, where Rio Tinto Group, Xstrata Plc and BHP Billiton own mines. The action didn't delay any ship arrivals or departures at the terminal, said Keith Powell, a spokesman for Newcastle Port Corp.

Greenpeace's action was part of its campaign protesting Australia's reliance on coal exports. Australia is the world's largest coal exporter.

Newcastle port exported 39.4 million metric tons in the first six months of this year and is targeting an increase to as much as 43 million in the second half.(*)