Port of Tyne news and updates | Port of Tyne

RESTORATION OF ICONIC NORTH EAST PIERS ENTERS FINAL PHASE

31st March 2025

North and South Piers Restoration Enters Final PhaseThe Grade II listed North and South Piers in Tynemouth and South Shields are now in the final phase of a £4.5 million restoration, following significant storm damage caused by Storm Babet in October 2023.High waves and extreme winds damaged stone walls, handrails, paving, and both historic lighthouses. The Port of Tyne, custodian of the piers, has led the repair effort with a commitment to restoring these iconic coastal landmarks.Following a winter pause due to weather, restoration work has resumed, including the replacement of specialist granite stonework on the North Pier.The Port thanks the public for their patience and urges everyone to respect safety closures to avoid further delays. Completion is expected before winter 2025, weather permitting.

PORT OF TYNE PARTNERS WITH ARTEMIS TECHNOLOGIES AND INVESTS IN UK’S FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC FOILING PILOT BOAT

3rd March 2025

The Port of Tyne is proud to announce the purchase of the UK’s first fully electric foiling pilot vessel, marking a major step towards a net zero pilotage service. Designed and built by Artemis Technologies, the Artemis EF-12 Pilot features cutting-edge eFoiler® technology, delivering zero operational emissions while enhancing safety and efficiency. This investment aligns with the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy, reinforcing the Port’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and a cleaner future for the maritime sector.

Port of Tyne and Southbay Civil Engineering Limited partner to inspire female students to take up careers in STEM.

14th February 2025

The Port of Tyne, in partnership with Southbay Civil Engineering, welcomed female students from Benfield School, Newcastle, for an exclusive tour of the Port and Tyne Dock Enterprise Park. The visit aimed to inspire young women to pursue careers in STEM, highlighting the Port’s commitment to diversity and innovation through initiatives like the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub. By showcasing the maritime and construction sectors, the event encouraged students to explore future leadership roles in these industries while emphasizing the importance of a diverse and skilled workforce.

DAME MARGARET BARBOUR CELEBRATES REOPENING OF THE ICONIC HERD GROYNE LIGHTHOUSE IN SOUTH SHIELDS

27th January 2025

Dame Margaret Barbour DBE DL has officially reopened the Herd Groyne lighthouse in South Shields following extensive restoration works, supported by a £100,000 donation from The Barbour Foundation. Built in 1882, the iconic lighthouse underwent vital repairs and maintenance, ensuring its continued operation as a navigational aid for the River Tyne. The project, completed in November 2024, was carried out by specialist contractor TIS Ltd. Barbour’s historic connection to the lighthouse dates back to 1908, featuring it in early catalogues. The Port of Tyne expressed gratitude for the foundation's generosity in preserving this cherished maritime landmark.

Venture Connect returns for 2025: Empowering North East SMEs in maritime innovation

6th January 2025

The Port of Tyne’s Venture Connect returns in 2025, connecting North East SMEs with investors to tackle challenges like decarbonisation and green logistics. With expert coaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the programme empowers innovators to drive sustainable growth in the maritime industry.

THE GREEN NORTH SEA SHIPPING CORRIDOR PROJECT: OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

2nd December 2024

The North East is playing a major part in a new government-funded initiative designed to advance environmentally friendly travel within Europe and secure green jobs of the future.Partners from across the UK and Europe came together at the Port of Tyne recently (w/c 25 November) to officially launch the ‘Green North Sea Shipping Corridor Project’, which aims to create one of the world’s first green shipping corridors between the Port of Tyne and the Port of IJmuiden in Amsterdam.

New agricultural facility and partnership at Port of Tyne boosts access for farmers across the North

6th November 2024

The Port of Tyne and Origin Soil Nutrition have invested £7.5 million in a state-of-the-art fertiliser blending plant and warehouse, enhancing agricultural support for the North of England, the Borders, and Southern Scotland. The new facility, spanning 6,000m², stores over 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser and streamlines local transport, reducing environmental impact and creating jobs. This partnership highlights the Port’s commitment to regional growth, sustainability, and economic prosperity, positioning it as a key player in agricultural supply chains.

Full Programme Revealed for Maritime Innovation Week 2024, Focusing on Sustainable Innovation

1st November 2024

The Maritime Innovation Week 2024 agenda is set, offering a robust three-day programme from November 19th–21st dedicated to advancing sustainable innovation in the maritime sector. Hosted at London's BT Tower and the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub at the Port of Tyne, this year’s event features keynotes and panels led by global industry leaders, policy influencers, and sustainability experts. With the theme “Accelerate and Amplify: Making Innovation Happen,” the event covers topics such as emissions reduction, emerging technologies, and sustainable partnerships, focusing on practical solutions for maritime challenges.

KEY MILESTONE REACHED IN DEVELOPMENT OF RWE SOFIA OFFSHORE WIND FARM

25th October 2024

The Port of Tyne plays a crucial role in the development of the RWE Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, one of the world's largest offshore wind projects, which will power 1.2 million UK homes upon completion. The Tyne Clean Energy Park serves as the storage and marshalling base, supporting Van Oord’s installation vessel, Aeolus, as it constructs the wind farm’s foundations. Since May, over a quarter of the project's 100 turbine foundations have been installed, with key components continuously arriving at the port. This collaboration marks significant progress toward the UK’s 2030 clean energy goals, positioning the North East as a hub for renewable energy projects.

Earthshot Prize 2025: Dr. Jo North at the 2050 Innovation Hub Announced as Official Nominator

11th October 2024

The search for the Earthshot Prize 2025 Winners has begun, and the 2050 Innovation Hub is proud to be an Official Nominator. We’re looking for impactful solutions that align with the five Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate. If you have a solution that’s tested, inspiring, and ready to scale, get in touch with Dr. Jo North or visit earthshotprize.org to learn more about the nomination process.

NORTH EAST BUSINESS AND SKILLS LEADERS ASKED TO SHAPE ADULT SKILLS STRATEGY

4th October 2024

Recently the Port hosted a joint event with the North East Combined Authority, bringing together leaders from across business, policy, skills and education at our 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub, to discuss adult skills and a future-focused strategy for the region.During a series of innovation sprints, attendees provided their insights and experience into actionable next steps to build an ambitious and shared vision for the future of adult skills in the North East. The findings from the event will be used as a launchpad to develop an Adult Skills Strategy. Thanks to everyone who attended and shared their views.

WELCOMING OUR NEW COHORT OF APPRENTICES AND GRADUATES

4th October 2024

The Port of Tyne has welcomed a new cohort of apprentices and graduates, highlighting its ongoing investment in future talent. This group, which includes six apprentices from nearby towns and a new graduate in Internal Communications, will play a key role in the Port’s future success. CEO Matt Beeton expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the next generation, while Garry Thompson, Head of People, praised the quality of applicants and the partnership with Zenith Training. The Port plans to further expand its graduate scheme with two additional positions in Cybersecurity and Engineering Management later this year.

MARITIME INNOVATION WEEK TO RETURN FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

11th September 2024

After it’s previous success, Maritime Innovation Week is returning for its third year, uniting industry leaders, investors, start-ups, and policy experts to drive sustainable innovation in the maritime sector, with events at London’s BT Tower and the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub at the Port of Tyne.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CRUISING AND NEW CRUISE CALL RECORD

28th August 2024

Celebrating 25 years of cruising, the Port of Tyne marks a milestone with record-breaking growth in 2023, welcoming 710,000 passengers via cruise and ferry and contributing significantly to the North East's thriving economy. As the UK's first smart port, with cutting-edge facilities and a strong commitment to excellence, we're proud to remain a premier international gateway, attracting visitors from around the world to experience the best of North East England

COMMUNITY SAFETY NOTICE: NORTH AND SOUTH PIERS REMAIN CLOSED

22nd August 2024

Restoration of the North and South Piers has made significant progress, but for safety reasons, the piers remain closed until work is complete. Recent vandalism and unauthorised access have caused delays and increased costs, prompting consideration of 24/7 security. The piers are vital both for guiding vessels into the River Tyne and as cherished community landmarks, and we are committed to restoring them to their former glory. We appreciate the public's patience and cooperation in respecting safety barriers to ensure a timely and safe restoration.

CELEBRATING A STRONG TRADING YEAR SUPPORTING THE PORT’S REGIONAL IMPACT

3rd July 2024

Welcome to the Port of Tyne's 2023 Annual Report, where we celebrate a year of exceptional growth and innovation. With a 15% increase in turnover and an 86% rise in profits, we continue to drive economic impact in the North East. Our commitment to a cleaner, greener future is reflected in our strategic partnerships, investments in renewable energy, and pioneering technologies like the UK's first private 5G network. As we progress toward our ambitious Tyne 2050 vision, we're proud to support the community and foster sustainable development, making a lasting difference for generations to come.

THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION DONATES £100,000 TO HELP RESTORE THE HERD GROYNE LIGHTHOUSE

12th June 2024

The Barbour Foundation has donated £100,000 towards the restoration of the nearly 150-year-old Herd Groyne lighthouse in South Shields, which we proudly own and operate. The investment marks a significant boost to local heritage and will facilitate much-needed repairs and maintenance on the lighthouse which sits at the mouth of the River Tyne on South Shields seafront, ensuring its continued operation and preservation.

Community Safety Notice

8th April 2024

Closure of North and South Piers will remain in place throughout Summer to enable critical safety repairs. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Port of Tyne's £500,000 Milestone

15th December 2023

The Port of Tyne Community Action Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is celebrating a significant landmark, having made £500,000 in grants to charities and voluntary organisations in the North East.

Elevating Safety: Port of Tyne's Collaboration with Rescue Pod

21st November 2023

Discover how the Port of Tyne's collaboration with local business Rescue Pod exemplifies a commitment to safety, innovation, and community growth, enhancing operational efficiency through comprehensive training solutions and meticulous equipment servicing.