Mechanisation is the key to modern dock operations. Long gone are the days when coal was king in the North East of England and the river Tyne was one of the biggest exporters. These days coal is imported for use in power stations throughout the country. I am sure lots of people have heard the phrase taking coals to Newcastle ( meaning its a pointless exercise as they had so much they could give it away ) These days all the coal mines are gone so coal is one of the main imports to the Tyne. The spray around the bottom of the cranes is water used to keep the coal dust down.