After completing its sea trials program successfully was delivered to its owner, the Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi A/S. Designed by Canadian company Robert Allan Ltd., and built by Spanish Gondan Shipbuilders, the vessel is the first tugboat of a series of three. It will provide tug services to Norwegian state-owned energy company Statoil, at the far-north terminal located at Melkøya under severe weather conditions.
Gondan Shipbuilders said: “Built to withstand harsh environments, the vessel is shaped specifically to grant full operational availability at temperatures of 20 degrees below zero and combines environmental sustainability through the use of LNG in most of its operations -complying therefore with IMO Tier III emissions standards- with the flexibility of diesel power to ensure a high level of operational security.”
Among its duties, it will conduct approximately 300 LNG ship escorts annually, will assist with berthing operations and will be maintained in readiness for emergency services such as long line towing, fire-fighting, and oil spill response. Earlier this week Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced it was to build Japan’s first LNG-fuelled tug. The vessel is expected to spur the initial development of an LNG fuel supply system for vessels in Osaka Bay.
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Source: Robert Allan Ltd
