Spain’s Gondan Shipbuilders said that Audax, the third LNG-fueled tug has been delivered to its owner Østensjø Rederi, following the completion of sea trials.
The first tug of this kind built in Europe, Dux, was delivered by the company last May, and the second one, Pax, was delivered in July.
Designed by the Canadian company Robert Allan, these vessels, with 40.2 meters length will provide tug services to Norwegian state-owned energy company Statoil, at the far-north Hammerfest LNG terminal located at Melkøya under severe weather conditions.
Built to withstand harsh environments, the vessels are shaped specifically to grant full operational availability at temperatures of 20 degrees below zero while using LNG in most of their operations.
Among their duties, they 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, firefighting, and oil spill response.