Gondan Shipyard has announced that it has launched the first dual-fuel tug built in Europe. The vessel was built at the company’s shipyard in Figueras, Spain, for the Norwegian ship owner, Østensjø Rederi. It was designed by Canada’s Robert Allan, and will provide tug services for Norway’s state-owned energy company, Statoil, at the terminal in Melkøya.
The new escort tug is 40.2 m long, has a 16 m beam, and is constructed specifically to operate in freezing temperatures. The shape of the vessel enables full operational availability in temperatures of -20°C. It will operate mostly on LNG, whilst having the option to operate on diesel to ensure operational security.
Gondan claims that the tug will remain moored at the yard’s quay whilst it is outfitted according to the latest shipbuilding standards. Once completed, the vessel will undergo thorough sea trials, with delivery scheduled for 2017.
Edited from press release by David Rowlands