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UK port installs 70-metre high container crane at Riverside Quay
The UK’s Port of Tyne will today unveil its £6 million gantry crane at its Riverside Quay, South Tyneside.
Standing 70-metres high, the giant crane 750-tonne crane is 20 metres higher than the iconic Angel of the North and higher still than the 59-metre height of the Tyne Bridge.
“This major investment will enable the Port to expand its container operations and further benefit our existing customers with increased resilience,” said Port of Tyne’s CEO, Andrew Moffat.
“Since the container terminal first opened over 20 years ago, the port has attracted some of the UK’s leading businesses, including Nissan, Tommee Tippee and Barbour and our second gantry crane will continue to grow logistics operations.”
The Port of Tyne’s new crane, built by crane specialists Liebherr, boasts a 37-metre outreach to allow the handling of vessels 13 containers wide, which in turn will enable Tyne to handle 98 percent of the world’s ocean carriers.
Following a period of testing and training the new gantry crane is due to be in operation later this month.
Earlier this year, the Port of Tyne announced that it plans to invest a further £180 million in the development of new infrastructure and facilities for handling, storing and importing wood pellets. The port, already the largest handler of wood pellets in Europe, will extend its main Riverside Quay at Tyne Dock and enhance its rail links within the hinterland.
