A contract covering two escort vessels for the Kårstø processing plant has been awarded to Norway’s Buksér og Berging AS by Statoil on behalf of operator Gassco.

This deal secures new tug capacity carrying the latest available technology to ensure more environment-friendly operation when assisting ships entering and leaving the facility.

Both of the new vessels will be fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce carbon emissions to the air.

“Safety and environmental consideration are basic factors in our operations,” says Svein Birger Thaule, Gassco’s vice president for asset management. “These modern vessels will support our long-term strategic thinking.”

Worth some NOK 900 million, the contract embraces the charter of the two escort tugs on a full-time basis and an option for chartering a harbour tug.

If the latter is exercised, it will involve an existing vessel from the Buksér og Berging fleet of similar and relatively new tugs.

The contract will run for no less than 10 years, with an option to renew for a further decade. It is due to come into force in September 2013.

Since Buksér og Berging will probably use a range of suppliers of engines and technical maritime equipment, spin-offs from the contract are likely to be greater than its value alone indicates.

Tags: Gassco