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.

The operation to remove the wreck of the cargo ship MV Carrier, which ran aground near Llanddulas, North Wales, was completed this week. It has taken contractors, PGC, less than six weeks to remove the wreck and all scrap materials from the vessel have now been removed from the site. However residual work to make the site, and immediate surrounding area, safe for public use will need completion.

Although there was a small release of diesel fuel at the time of the incident, tests conducted on marine life, mussels and starfish from various locations by the Environment Agency Wales have been analysed throughout the operation and have found no traces of contamination.