GAC signs agreement to support Arctic exploration

UNDER a new agency agreement that brings together two companies with plans for Arctic expansion, GAC Norway recently welcomed the TransAtlantic's ice-breaking Anchor Handling Tug Tor Viking II to Hammerfest after its transit of the ice-bound North East Passage.


Berthing at the northern Norwegian port marked the end of the vessel's voyage from Alaska to Europe through frozen seas, shaving three weeks off the sailing time needed to take the traditional route through the Panama Canal.


It was the first time a commercial vessel had used the Northern Sea Route so late in the year. The Tor Viking II first made the passage in 2007, and the same master, Captain Erik Almkvist, was onboard again.


"The ice situation became more and more difficult as we proceeded to the north-west from the Bering Strait," said Capt Almkvist. "With ice over 60cm thick and with ridges several metres thick, the passage was more difficult this time than our voyage in November 2007."


Significant future oil and gas extraction is expected to take place in new fields in the Arctic waters, creating demand for specialist ice-going offshore vessels with specially-trained crews.


GAC's local expertise and global experience in the energy sector, coupled with TransAtlantic's proven capabilities in executing operations in ice and harsh weather conditions, look set to play an important part as oil and gas exploration gathers momentum.


GAC Norway's managing director Ahmet Osoy said: "We have expanded our operations in the Arctic with branches in Spitsbergen as well as Hammerfest, as part of our strategic plan to grow further in the region."
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)