NEWCASTLE's new third coal-loader hit another milestone yesterday when the first ship tied up at the new Kooragang Island number eight berth to receive a cargo of Wambo coal, bound for Japan.
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But in a sign of the international debate over coal use, the arrival of the Sunny Success was marked with a protest by climate-change activists Rising Tide.
Rising Tide spokeswoman Anika Dean said protester Carly Phillips slung herself over the side of a wharf bollard to prevent the Sunny Success from reaching the wharf.
Ms Dean said Ms Phillips was one of four Rising Tide members arrested in a protest that delayed the ship for at least an hour.
She said Ms Phillips was charged with a single count of entering enclosed lands and was bailed to appear in Newcastle Local Court on April 20.
The other three Rising Tide members were released without charge.
For the coal company members of the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, doubling Hunter coal exports is a cause for celebration.
The group's loader will ship as much as 30 million tonnes a year from its first stage.
A group spokesman said yesterday's protest had no impact.
Loading was expected to start this morning.
