Working Conditions Aboard the Dux

The maritime world celebrates a significant milestone with the delivery of the DUX, a 40.2-meter dual-fuel tug, to the Norwegian shipping company Østensjø Rederi A/S. After a series of successful sea trials, this innovative vessel marks the beginning of a new era as the first of three tugs designed specifically for extreme operational environments. Engineered by Canadian firm Robert Allan Ltd. and constructed by Spain's Gondan Shipbuilders, the DUX is set to support Norway's state-owned energy giant Statoil at the challenging Melkøya terminal in the Arctic region. Gondan Shipbuilders highlights the tug’s robust design, capable of enduring temperatures plummeting to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Not only does it prioritize environmental sustainability by utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the majority of its operations, but it also meets the stringent IMO Tier III emissions standards. This dual-fuel capability provides the tug with the flexibility of diesel power, ensuring operational reliability even in the harshest conditions. The DUX will conduct around 300 LNG ship escorts each year and will assist with essential berthing operations. Additionally, it is equipped for emergency responses, including long line towing, fire-fighting, and oil spill management. In related news, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) recently announced plans to construct Japan's inaugural LNG-fueled tug, which is anticipated to kick-start the development of an LNG fuel supply system in Osaka Bay.