Police: All 14 protesters removed from ship

Greenpeace says the ship's cargo of palm kernel feed contributes to climate change. Photo / Greenpeace

All 14 Greenpeace protesters who boarded a freight ship carrying palm kernel in the Port of Tauranga today have been removed, police say.

The protesters boarded the Hong Kong-registered freighter East Ambition from a small boat this morning, lashing themselves to cranes and the anchor, preventing the ship from docking.

They were protesting Fonterra's importation of palm kernel (PKE) for use as stock feed because of its role in the destruction of rainforests, predominantly in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Police used a crane and cage and were raised to the height of four storeys to cut the cables that tied the protesters to the ship's steel cables extending from its cranes.

The protesters were charged with illegally boarding a vessel, Tauranga police area commander Inspector Mike Clement said.

They would be bailed to appear in the Tauranga District Court within the next week.

A further protester was arrested as part of the support crew, police said.

Mr Clement said he was pleased the situation had been resolved without harm to any of the ship's crew, emergency personnel or protesters.

The Port of Tauranga, Fire Service, Coastguard, Customs and private contractors were also involved in the operation.

Greenpeace said it took action because of what it claimed was the role of PKE in the destruction of rainforests, predominantly in Malaysia and Indonesia.

It said forests were being cleared for the planting of the trees that produce palm oil.

PKE is a by-product of the palm oil process.

"We intend to stay for as long as physically possible. We're well equipped," Greenpeace climate campaigner Simon Boxer told NZPA earlier today.

Farmers called for piracy charges to be laid against the protesters

"I fully respect the freedom of Greenpeace to protest legally but they have crossed the line by interfering with legal commerce and free navigation on the high seas," said Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson.

He described the protest as "economic treason".

He claimed Greenpeace was anti-farming: "It's a despicable new tactic that has Greenpeace's loathing of farming written all over that ship."

- NZPA