Astilleros Gondan announced that it delivered DUX, the first dual fuel tug ever built in Europe, to the Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi A/S, after completing its sea trials program successfully. This is the first tugboat of a series of three.
Designed by the renowned Canadian company Robert Allan, the new escort tug, with 40.2 meters length and 16 meters beam, will provide tug services to Norwegian state-owned energy company Statoil, at the far-north terminal located at Melkøya, under severe weather conditions.
The vessel is built to withstand harsh environments, such as temperatures of 20 degrees below zero. It is also environmentally friendly, as it is going to use LNG in most of its operations -complying therefore with IMO Tier III emissions standards. The flexibility of diesel power also ensures operational security.
Dux has a free running speed of 15 knots and is capable of direct and indirect towing performance, providing up to 107 ton bollard pull and 167 ton steering force, both class approved by Bureau Veritas. It can also achieve noise levels as low as 45 dB on the crew’s cabins.
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.
