The River Tyne will close to all vessels for nine hours on Thursday, July 30, as salvage work proceeds at the Tyne Container Terminal. The closure runs from 9am to 6pm between Royal Quays and the River Don.
Salvage of collapsed crane
Workers will separate a collapsed gantry crane from the BG Orange container ship. The crane fell onto the vessel on Sunday, July 19, sending one person to hospital.
The operation also involves moving the stricken ship into the river, necessitating the closure to all traffic.
Nurdle spill and clean-up
Following a collision between the BG Orange and the Wind Orca, 25 tonnes of plastic pellets (nurdles) – about one billion – spilled into the Tyne from two containers aboard the BG Orange. The two damaged containers have been cleaned of nurdles, according to the Port of Tyne. Council-led and volunteer-led beach clean-ups continue just after high tide.
Port statement
A Port of Tyne spokesperson said: “This remains a complex and critical operation, and we thank all rivers users for their patience while the work is carried out. We advise the public to stay away from the area while the work is being carried out.”
