Gondan delivers second dual-fuel tug

The vessel was delivered to Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi A/S, following its successful sea trials programme. The first tug of this kind built in Europe – DUX – was delivered by Gondan last May.

PAX is the second tugboat in a three-vessel series. It was designed by Robert Allan Ltd, is 40.2 m long, has a 16 m beam, and will provide tug services to Norway’s Statoil at the far north terminal located at Melkøya under severe weather conditions. The vessel has been built to withstand harsh environments, and is specifically shaped to grant full operational availability at temperatures of 20 degrees below zero. It combines environmental sustainability through the use of LNG in most of its operations – thereby complying with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III emissions standards – with the flexibility of diesel power to ensure operational security.

The vessel has a free running speed of 15 knots, and is capable of excellent direct and indirect towing performance, providing high direct pull and escort forces: 107 t bollard pull and 167 t steering force, both class approved by Bureau Veritas.

The vessel is able to accommodate an eight-person crew, and has been built according to the highest shipbuilding standards. Among its duties, the vessel will carry out approximately 300 LNG ship escorts per year, will help with berthing operations, and will be maintained in readiness for emergency services, such as long line towing, fire fighting and oil spill response.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/10072017/gondan-delivers-second-dual-fuel-tug/