The second of two supply ships fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been delivered to Statoil.
Stril Pioner and Viking Energy are to be chartered by the group for 10 years. Viking Energy was ready in April.
Using LNG as fuel will provide a considerable reduction in emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. The two vessels will emit about 400 tonnes fewer nitrogen oxides per year than comparable ships running on diesel engines. This saving corresponds to the volume released by some 40,000 cars.
The ships will be used mainly in Statoil's operations in the Tampen area of the North Sea.
"Stril Pioner has performed to our full satisfaction since it started operation in July," reports Audun Gunnarsen, acting vice president for emergency response, marine operations and air transport in Statoil.
Both vessels were built by Kleven Verft at Ulsteinvik in western Norway. Møkster Shipping owns and will run Stril Pioner while Viking Energy is owned and run by the Eidesvik shipping company.
The ships will together consume about 7,000 tonnes of LNG per year.
In accordance with the emission trading system, Statoil and the authorities have agreed that the reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from the ships can be used to offset volumes released from other facilities operated by Statoil, or in which the group has an interest.
Stril Pioner will be named in Stavanger on 16 August.