FOR the second day in a row, a protester has snarled freight traffic at Port Botany. A protester suspended themselves off the bridge at Sirius Road, blocking access to the Hutchison Ports Australia container terminal.

An NSW Police spokesperson said a 23-year-old man had been arrested following an “unauthorised” protest in Banksmeadow.

“About 7.50am (Wednesday 23 March 2022), emergency services were called to Foreshore Road near the intersection of Sirius Street, Banksmeadow, following reports a group had gathered in the area, including a man who had suspended himself from a pole,” the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Hutchison Ports Australia said: “We did not receive any prior notice about what the group of people is actually doing in the Port Botany region, but whatever their intended purpose is they are having a disruptive impact along a major road and access points for all workers and businesses in the area”.

A statement from NSW Ports said the company worked with NSW Police and other agencies, including Transport for NSW, to minimise the impact of the incident.

“The port maritime security zone remained secure at all times, with protesters limited to publicly accessible roads leading to and from the port. Port security and NSW Police responded rapidly to both protest events this week, which were resolved within a couple of hours to allow traffic flow to resume,” the NSW Ports statement said.

“NSW Ports operates a 24/7 security and surveillance system at Port Botany and works closely with businesses on site who have additional security measures in place.”

Container Transport Alliance Australia director Neil Chambers said: “The Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and police need an action plan as to how we are going to mitigate these senseless actions.”

In a statement, Blockade Australia, the group claiming responsibility for the protest, said: “Port Botany is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the Australian project”.

Blockade Australia said the protester, named Arno, would continue to blockade the bridge as long as they could.

A member of the group yesterday suspended themselves from a pole, blocking Foreshore Road yesterday morning.

DCN understands that there were no impacts to the DP World Australia and Patrick terminals at the port.

This article has been updated to include comment from NSW Ports.