The Alam Pesona has broken the record for the largest ever cargo on the Tyne when it brought in 76,195 tonnes of coal. The ship had travelled almost 5,000 nautical miles from New Orleans in the US. Back in its heyday Tyneside had been one of the global leaders when it came to exporting coal, but the exports from the river stopped in 1998. Now, however, after an investment of £5m in deepening the river, the Port of Tyne can handle 83% of the world’s global fleet of cargo vessels.
