Npdl-California

Protesters have been targeting the Israeli shipping company Zim at Port Botany and the port of Melbourne. There is concern that protest activity may flare up again as other Zim ships call Australian ports. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Port Botany on Nov 11, 2023, in an attempt to block the arrival of the 'Contship Dax'. The Palestine Justice Movement Sydney and Trade Unionists for Palestine groups announced the protest on Nov 3 ahead of the ship’s scheduled arrival. NSW Police advised transport operators to avoid carrying Zim-branded containers along Foreshore Road at Port Botany while protest activity was underway. The 'Contship Dax' was originally scheduled to call at Melbourne on Nov 8, followed by Sydney on Nov 11, but the port calls were rotated early last week; the vessel berthed in Sydney on Nov 8 and is now scheduled to berth in Melbourne on Nov 17. There were Maritime Union of Australia flags flying among the Palestine flags at Port Botany. The protest at Botany followed another demonstration on Nov 9, when protesters occupied a roadway in Melbourne’s Webb Dock, where another Zim vessel was due to arrive. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags blocked access to the Victoria International Container Terminal and ACFS Webb Dock Empty Container Park. Another Zim ship, the 'Calandra', is expected at Patrick East Swanson Dock on Nov 15. The association has cautioned the vessel may become the target of protest action in the Swanson Precinct. The 'Calandra' is operated by the Gold Star Line on the China Asia Express (CAX) service. The 'Calandra' was scheduled to berth at the East Swanson Dock on Nov 15 at 7 a.m.