Watch: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Target Zim Cargo Ship On Its Way To Melbourne

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Australia tried to obstruct the Zim cargo ship Vela’s route as it travelled down the Yarra River towards the Port of Melbourne.

The demonstrators, who have been blocking port operations continuously since November, say they are targeting shipments that are intended for Israel.

The Vela, a 50,420-ton containership owned by Costamare of Greece and registered in Liberia, was coming into Sydney as part of Zim’s Australia Express service connecting Australia, China, and Korea.

BREAKING! A group of protesters in kayaks attempting to block the path of an Israel-linked container ship in the early hours of this morning in Naarm. The ship ploughed through the kayaks heading into port. All kayakers are okay #StopArmingIsrael #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/L6MeG6dVCD

— WACA (@akaWACA) December 20, 2023

Video Credits: WACA/Twitter

According to a Zim official, the ship delivers consumer commodities, including white goods, textiles, and food, not weapons, contradicting the demonstrators’ claims that they are interfering with shipments of war supplies. The protestors, who had earlier utilised jet skis and kayaks, blocked the Yarra River for approximately an hour before the ship could dock and regular port operations could continue.

During these continuous protests, the group has been targeting other Zim ships and frequent vessels from other shipping companies, which have stretched from Melbourne to Sydney and Port Botany. Road blockades that lead to the port are one of the disturbances. Recently, these have resulted in traffic delays and nine arrests for public annoyance and obstructing roadways.

Reference: Daily Mail

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