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Newcastle wins global battle for major event

NEWCASTLE has beaten off strong competition from Panama and New Orleans to host a major event in the shipping industry.

More than 60 delegates from 15 countries will converge on Newcastle for a three-day Dry Bulk Group eventwhich, as well as their conference, they will enjoy a formal dinner at Alnwick Castle.

The dinner is being hosted by Port of Tyne, which has been a member of Dry Bulk Terminals Group for five years and is confident the visitors will provide a valuable insight into bulk cargo operations.

Dry Bulk Terminals Group is an association open to all owners and operators of dry bulk terminals worldwide – dry bulk being grain, coal, cement, timber or ore and any other material that can be loaded into a ship by conveyor belt or crane.

The Port of Tyne will also give delegates a tour of its estate where they will be able to visit a new biomass storage and handling facility, which includes the largest dedicated biomass storage unit in Europe measuring some 150 metres by 100 metres.

Andrew Moffat, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Tyne says “In November last year we announced that the Port of Tyne had signed an agreement with Drax Power Limited, to embark upon an ambitious and exciting new project for the provision of handling and covered storage facilities for between 0.5 million and 1.4 million tonnes of biomass per annum, for an initial 10 year period. The project, costing is in excess of £16 million, will take full advantage of the Port’s excellent deep water berths, infrastructure and manpower and will help deliver the business’s aim of creating a vibrant and sustainable Port of Tyne.”

Delegates will also find out more detail about the project, which is due to be commissioned in October 2010, when Steven Harrison, Chief Operating Officer, Port of Tyne addresses the conference.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .