In the towage sector Ostensjo Rederi and their associate companies provide tanker handling tugs for berthing, escort duties, fire fighting, pollution control and line handling services at terminals in Norway, the UK and Ireland. The vessels operate in the distinctive two tone blue of the parent company and are invariably maintained by their crews in immaculate condition.

Over the past two years Ostensjo has taken delivery of two sophisticated Voith propelled escort and berthing tugs, Tenax and Velox, from the Spanish yard Astilleros Gondan. A further order has now been placed with the same shipyard for a further pair to the same basic design as the Tenax, which is currently operating at Fawley in Southampton Water.

The 37m tugs will be powered by Bergen engines generating a total of 6,936bhp for a bollard pull of over 67 tons. Braking and steering forces in the escort role are in the order of 150 tons. One tug will be delivered in 2007 and the second one year later. Where the tugs will be deployed has not yet been revealed.

Ostensjo also operates a fleet of Platform Supply Vessels on long term contract to major oil companies, trading under the brand name Edda Supply Ships.

This fleet also has one new vessel nearing completion and a sister ship on order. Once again Astilleros Gondan has been entrusted with construction.

Edda Supply Ships have in the past been ahead of the field in technology and sophistication, with the early introduction of high sided cargo decks and the installation of Dynamic Positioning. The new Edda Fram, due in service early next year, will be no exception, having the first Voith Schneider (stern mounted) diesel-electric propulsion system to be installed in an offshore supply vessel.

This new system, developed in conjunction with Voith Turbo Marine, is expected to yield improved fuel economy and an excellent interface with the DP systems. Another innovation to be fitted aboard the new ship will be a unique system for the handling and transportation of drill cuttings. This waste material must frequently be disposed of ashore or re-injected but is currently handled in skips or other containers. In the new Edda Fram a purpose designed pumping system and dedicated tanks will be made available.

Perhaps the most impressive