Port of Tyne nurdle update claims five containers were damaged following South Shields crane collapse
The Port of Tyne has incresed the number of containers is claims were damaged following a collision earlier this month.
The latest update from the Port of Tyne says five containers have been damaged following a collision which resulted in a crane collapsing in South Shields.
Initially happening on Sunday, July 19, the collapse happened after the vessel Wind Orca was “in collision” with the berthed container ship BG Orange according to the Port of Tyne.
On Thursday, July 30 work took place to remove the boom of the crane from the vessel.
The Port of Tyne previously said three containers were damaged in a statement released on Tuesday, July 28, but an update from the site now says five containers were damaged.
The initial three containers all contained plastic pellets, known as nurdles, which were subsequently spilled into the River Tyne before washing up on beaches across the North East.
The latest update from the Port of Tyne said: “Extensive works have been undertaken by specialist salvage teams to separate the collapsed gantry crane from the container ship BG Orange.
“Following a collision between the Wind Orca and the berthed BG Orange on Sunday, July 19th, which caused the collapse of the 750-tonne gantry crane, the crane’s boom has been lying on top of the ship.
“Today (Thursday), follow extensive planning and supported by the 70-metre Matador 3 floating crane , which arrived at the Wednesday morning, the boom of the collapsed crane was lifted from the container ship and cut from the main crane before being moved safely to the quayside, where it will be cut into smaller pieces.
“The BG Orange was then shifted into the middle of the River Tyne, turned and held until the boom was removed, and then berthed, so that the damaged side of the ship was alongside.
“Experts will now examine the damage to the ship, and the five damaged containers will be lifted off.
“A stretch of the River Tyne remained closed until 17.15hrs to facilitate the salvage operation.”
A Port spokesperson said: “This is a major step forward in the clear up operation following the collision of the two vessels.”
The Port of Tyne has said only three of the damaged containters were carrying nurdles.