The shipping platform

Location: Blyth is situated on the Northumberland coastline, N of Tyne and Wear, on NE coast of England. General overview: Historically a coal port but, after extensive capital development over recent years, the port also specialises in forest products, aluminium, raw materials, grain, specialised project cargoes including wind turbines and containers. Recent imports include sawdust pellets, animal feedstuffs, peat moss and domestic coal. Exports of woodchips are also handled. Traffic figures: Approx 500 vessels, 1,500,000t of cargo and 6,000TEU handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: LOA 180m, beam 28m, draught 9.9m, 35,000DWT. Largest vessel handled: "Maersk Rye", tanker for repairs, draught 8.5m, 34,860DWT.