Gondan Shipyard launches first DF tug built in Europe

Gondan Shipyard in Figueras, at high tide, the first Dual Fuel tug ever built in Europe – and the first of a series of three currently under construction for the Norwegian shipowner Østensjø Rederi - has been successfully launched, the Spanish shipbuilder said Monday in a press release.
 
Designed by the 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. Built to withstand freezing cold, the vessel is shaped specifically to grant full operational availability at temperatures of 20 degrees below zero and combines environmental sustainability trough the use of LNG in most of its operations, with the flexibility of diesel power to ensure a high level of operational security.
 
For the next few months, this new vessel will be moored at the Yard´s quay while being outfitted according to the best shipbuilding standards, until completion, when she will be ready for the thorough sea trials and her following delivery in 2017.

Astilleros Gondan, S.A. (Gondan Shipyard) based in Spain has two facilities, both located in the municipality of Castropol (Asturias). The main factory of the shipyard is situated in the port of Figueras, while the steel-cutting workshop and the equipment warehouse is situated in the Industrial Park of Barres. The majority of the work is carried out in Figueras; steel production, hull assembly, mounting, constructing, outfitting, etc.