HUGE structures that have been looming over the River Tyne during their construction are setting sail one-by-one.

The River Tyne continues to develop a share of the renewable energy market, with two separate engineering projects manufacturing structures for the offshore wind sector.

At the former ONG Facility in Wallsend, now operated by Smulders Projects, 11 wind turbine jacket foundations are in the process of being manufactured for the European Offshore Wind Development Centre near Aberdeen.

And at Neptune Yard five gravity-base foundations for wind turbines have been fabricated by Royal BAM Group for the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm.

During both projects the Port of Tyne has provided vital maritime navigation advice and information as well as pilotage services - and as part of the BAM project the gravity base foundations were sited at the Port’s deep-water facility at Riverside Quay, Tyne Dock, to complete the final stage of concrete pouring.

Nolan Gray, Port of Tyne Business Development Director, said: “The River Tyne is ideally placed as a major hub for the manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines and to service the offshore supply chain that will grow from it.”

For further information on the super structures’ planned sailings, please see the Port of Tyne website ‘expected shipping movements’ page.