Protesters in boats meet ship bringing 'blood' phosphate into Christchurch

Protesters in boats meet ship bringing 'blood' phosphate into Christchurch
Dec 09 2019 https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/118047005/protesters-in-boats-meet-s...

Human rights activists, on kayaks and a paddle board by the Federal Crimson ship in Lyttelton Harbour, protest the imporation of phosphate from Western Sahara.
Protesters have met a phosphate-laden cargo ship as it arrived in Christchurch, calling for New Zealand companies to stop importing the controversial fertiliser.

Cargo ship the Federal Crimson on Monday arrived in Lyttelton carrying 50,000 tonnes of phosphate from the occupied territory of Western Sahara.

It was met by a peace flotilla of 15 kayaks, a yacht, and a ferry filled with more than 100 school children. A further 80 human rights activists sang Saharawi songs of freedom from land.

Much of the world's phosphate supplies come from Western Sahara, a bitterly disputed territory once ruled by Spain but claimed by Morocco in 1975. The Sahrawi people consider the phosphate stolen.

Refugees from the long-running wrangle have previously pleaded with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to stop New Zealand's trade in the mineral.

The phosphate is Moroccan phosphate exporter OCP's cargo until it is unloaded. Three such shipments arrive annually.

Protesters called on Ravensdown boss Greg Campbell to stop buying from OCP immediately.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union boarded the ship on arrival, issuing a letter of protest to the captain.