23.07.2026

Ship collision brings crane down

An STS Ship to Shore gantry crane collapsed on Sunday at the Port of Tyne- between Newcastle and Sunderland in the UK.

It seems that the Wind Orca - a wind turbine installation jack-up vessel owned by Danish company Cadeler - suffered an engine failure as it pulled away from the dock and drifted into the container ship BG Orange in the next berth, which was being unloaded at the time by the stricken crane. The collision damaged the BG Orange and brought down the crane, smashing open one or more containers. ‘Nodules’ from one of the containers have washed up on local beaches this week.

A spokesperson for the port said: “The vessel Wind Orca was leaving dock when it collided with the berthed container ship BG Orange. Subsequently, a gantry crane on the Port’s quayside sustained significant damage, and one person was taken to hospital. A full investigation has begun, and we will cooperate fully with the authorities.”

Cadeler said: “The Wind Orca was involved in an ‘allision’ with a third party vessel and shoreside crane yesterday." (Allision apparently refers to a collision between a moving ship and a stationary object such as a bridge or other ship). “The crane operator was injured and was taken to hospital, where he is reported to be in a stable condition and receiving treatment. All crew on the Wind Orca are safe, and there are no reports of any pollution.”

“Cadeler is working closely with all relevant authorities to manage the situation safely and efficiently.”

The Wind Orca is currently working on the installation of Orsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the UK North Sea. The company has been commissioned to install 197 monopile foundations.”

A statement from the Northumbria Police added: “Just after 13.00 on the 19th of July 2026, we received a report of concern for the safety of a person at the Port of Tyne in South Shields. It was reported that, for reasons yet to be established, a ship had collided with a crane. The emergency services found a man had sustained injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening. He was taken to hospital for treatment.”

The following drone footage was taken shortly after the incident occurred: