Greenpeace Stage 12-Hour Protest on Tanker Buena Alba

On November 30th, Greenpeace activists boarded the tanker Buena Alba, remaining on board for 12 hours as the vessel prepared to load propylene, a primary component in plastic production.

The demonstration coincided with ongoing UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea.

The activists aimed to push governments to commit to reducing plastic production and resist lobbying efforts by the petrochemical and fossil fuel industries, which oppose such measures.

The protest began from Greenpeace’s ship Rainbow Warrior, with activists from countries including Mexico, Germany, and the UK using rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) to reach the Buena Alba. Once aboard, they erected tents on the ship’s mast, symbolically disrupting operations.

After 12 hours, the activists were detained by South Korean authorities.

Meanwhile, the treaty discussions reached a standstill on December 1st, leading to a postponement.