First Port of Call for Iconic North East Attractions

Picture of Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle

New research shows that the region’s most iconic North East attractions of Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden, Durham City, the castles of Northumberland, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Castle and Cathedral, and many other attractions are feeling the benefits of a flood of visitors from the number of cruise ships calling at the Port of Tyne.

Last year the Port welcomed around 50,000 cruise passengers visiting the North East to enjoy the region’s countryside and coastline, visit cultural landmarks and tourism sites.

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Work Begins on £25m Quay Extension At Port of Tyne

Port of Tyne logo Thumbnail

The Port of Tyne has appointed the main contractor for the £25m extension of Riverside Quay, the Port’s multifunctional deep-sea facility at South Shields.

The main contract for over 300 metres of quay work includes a 125 metre quay extension, an upgrade of 118m of existing quay and 90m of quay wall renewal at the former McNulty site. The £18.6m contract was won by Tyneside-based Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd who will start construction this month.

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Air Bubbles reduce Ship’s Fuel Consumption

First Bulk Carrier Featuring MALS Delivered to ADM
First Bulk Carrier Featuring MALS Delivered to ADM

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), a US-based specialist in grain processing, has taken delivery of the first new bulk carrier developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) that uses air bubble lubrication system. 

MHI’s proprietary Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS) reduces frictional resistance between the vessel hull and seawater using air bubbles produced at the vessel bottom. The solution has enabled a 27% reduction in CO 2 emissions, as verified, compared to conventional bulk carriers, exceeding the target figure of 25%.

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Marine School’s Multi-Million Pound Improvement Programme

Ribbon cut on Marine School’s multi-million pound improvement programme

The Marine School of South Shields
The Marine School of South Shields

A multi-million pound improvement programme will see the next generation of seafarers instructed on the latest state-of-the-art equipment, which includes a stunning full-mission bridge simulator.

The breath-taking centre, South Shields Marine School – at South Tyneside College’s Westoe campus, South Shields – has been years in the planning and will train all ranks of maritime personnel, from cadets to officers, chief engineers to chief ETOs, masters and pilots.

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Restored Seaham Lifeboat Finally Launched

The launching of George Elmy after restorationGeorge Elmy Seaham Lifeboat Restoration Update.

For those unaware of the story, on the afternoon of 17th Nov 1962 the weather in the North Sea off the Northumberland & Durham Coast and Seaham Harbour in particular was absolutely filthy, so bad that 10 miles north at Bartrams Shipyard where I was based most workers had been sent home in the driving rain, wind, and gloom.

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The Marine School of South Shields

The Marine School of South Shields, formally South Tyneside College, previously The South Shields Marine & Technical College (and …before that – The Marine School of South Shields)

The Marine School of South Shields
The Marine School of South Shields

The college recently celebrated it’s 150th anniversary. It was quite unique in its day being one of the first institutions to provide education for seafarers in order that they could better deal with the rigours of the sea; providing them with training in navigation and engineering to help prevent tragedy and loss of life that was so prevalent at the time the school opened in 1861. It is a brilliant achievement that, in 2012 the college offers some of the most modern and comprehensive marine simulation technology in the world. The college combines a unique blend of traditional experience and forward vision.

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