Owned by Norwegian operator Ostensjo Rederi A/S, the 10,340 horsepower vessel is a 'state of the art' Voith Schneider escort tug normally based on the west coast of Norway. Delivered in 2000, Ajax is a vessel of 41.60 metres in length with a static bollard pull of 96 tonnes. The tug is carries a Det Norske Veritas Escort Tug notation indicating that it is capable of generating dynamic steering forces in excess of 150 tonnes when operating at 10 knots. Ajax is extensively equipped for ship-handling, escort duties, fire fighting and pollution control. Installed aboard in a 'garage' in the superstructure is a complete outfit of oil containment boom and skimming equipment that can be deployed within minutes of arriving at a pollution incident.

Solent Towage Ltd currently has a contract with Esso to provide two powerful tanker-handling and escort tugs, and two smaller vessels for line handling and other towage assistance work at the terminal. The tugs currently engaged at Fawley Silex and Thrax conduct active, tethered, escorting for all vessels in transit between the terminal and the seaward limits of the port.