Aukra, on the coast of Romsdal, is the location where gas from the Ormen Large Field comes ashore. The gas will be brought to Nyhamna for processing before being exported as condensate.

A new tug fleet will handle 100,000 dwt tankers using the terminal, supplying escort, berthing services and including marine and shoreside mooring and loading operations. Counter pollution and oil spill contingency response services are also included in the contract. The seven year contract with options, worth NOK 200m, was signed in September 2006.

An order has been placed with Sanmar Denizcilik Ltd. in Turkey for a permanent escort and terminal tug (see previous report) with a bollard pull of 85 tons. The tug is to be constructed to an improved Rampart 3200 design from Robert Allan and will feature larger tank capacities, improved escort performance, and modifications and improvements to the standard of accommodation. Delivery is expected in July 2008. Orders have also been placed for two mooring vessels.

The operation will be supported by a second terminal tug, the ‘Silex’, employed until 2006 at the ESSO oil terminal at Fawley with Ostensjo’s UK subsidiary Solent Towage Ltd. Silex is a tanker handling, fire fighting tug of 5,386 bhp and 62 tons bollard pull, built in 1994 by Simek A/S at Flekkefjord.