Vortex in Kopervik Photo: Øyvind Sætre
BY SVERRE MELING JR.
VORTEX – AN ATTRACTIVE VSP IN THE MARKET – Vortex has been seven years in the spot market since she was delivered from the yard in 2010. She has performed very well, Fleet Manager Towage, Sveinung Zahl, says. Towing the Hoeg Osaka Photo: Østensjø Rederi
He points out what differs Vortex from most other tugs. – She is designed as a combined escort tug and anchor handler with an open stern, a skeg and two Voith propellers in front. The abbreviation “VSP” is short for “Voith Schneider Propeller”. Even in rough seas, these propellers have good immersion and give Vortex a good tug efficiency factor, he explains and adds that the 38.7 meter length of the vessel provides it with an additional advantage. – Vortex is based in IJmuiden in the Netherlands. How come? – The vessel operates in the rig towing market. She fits perfectly into this market. She is very maneuverable and well equipped with powerful render/recovery winches, shark jaws and towing pins from Karmøy Winch. Vortex is designed by Østensjø Rederi’s long lasting partner, Robert Allan Ltd. in Vancouver, Canada. – But she wouldn’t have become what she is if it were not for the specifications from Østensjø Rederi based on years of experience with tugs, Sveinung says. SJØFARTSTIDENE
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2017
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