Waterways #1 | Port of Tyne, England.

If you heard the famous phrase “carrying coals to Newcastle”, it can be associated with the history of the Port of Tyne.The city of Newcastle always had an important significance to the development of the country.

“After Bristol and London, it was considered the fairest and richest town in England” in 1635, maintaining its effective monopoly on the coal trade right up until the mid-nineteenth century.

The port of Tyne was famous for its coal exports until mid-1990`s when the mining industry in the UK changed radically.

Nowadays, the port’s five commercial business areas – bulk & conventional cargo, car terminals, cruise & ferries, logistics, and estates –  its three rail terminals, its modern international cruise and passenger terminal building and its growing cruise business;  all add value to the northeast region.

Not just coals, but also grain, scrap, steel, forest products and other cargos are “carried to Newcastle”. And the volume of imported coal had increased from zero in 2003 to 4.9 million tonnes last year, which makes the Port of Tyne the UK’s second largest coal importer.

In addition, the port offers excellent links to the UK’s major road and rail networks as well Newcastle International Airport, with commercial premises available for short and long term lets and including office accommodation, commercial units and industrial sites within the secure port estate.

Facts and figures:

GENERAL

• The Port of Tyne was named North East Business of the Year 2013 in the NE Business Awards
• The Port’s turnover in 2013 was £73m
• In 2013 the Port of Tyne achieved its highest cargo volumes for over 50 years
• As of 31 December 2013, we had 566 FTE’s comprising 478 direct employees and 88 agency workers (Actual employee headcount was 485)
• Port of Tyne is in the top 2% of IIP Silver accredited companies
• The Port’s land and property portfolio covers over 250 hectares (613 acres) on both sides of the Tyne with 100 businesses based on the site
• The historic Tyne Dock has been in-filled using spoil from the second Tyne Tunnel and is creating a further 6 hectares (14 acres) of useable land
• After a £5m investment by the Port of Tyne in 2011, the river channel is at its deepest ever level at 10 metres
• In 2013 the River Tyne handled 8.1 million tonnes of cargo – the largest volume since 1965. This was a 22% increase on 2012
• The Port of Tyne handled 6.4m million tonnes of cargo in 2013
• In 2013 imported coal and wood pellet volumes were at the highest level ever recorded, with almost 5 million tonnes of coal and 1 million tonnes of wood pellet
• The Port of Tyne has 3 rail terminals
• The Port has HM Customs approval for Eurotunnel meaning goods can travel by train directly to Europe via the Channel Tunnel
• The Port of Tyne handles cargoes valued at an estimated £10 billion per annum
• The Port of Tyne is the fastest growing major UK Port (source DfT figures)

Other key facts about Port of Tyne services can be downloaded here.

Simone Ribeiro

Hi! I'm Simone, a citizen of Britain, where I live for over a decade, and of Brazil, where I was born. Midlands Traveller is where I combine my passion for travelling, business and an Eco-friendly lifestyle.