Shetland puts tugs up for sale

Shetland Islands Council has reportedly put its recently built Sullom Voe harbour tugs, Solan and Bonxie, up for sale. The two 41m-long, 88-tonne bollard pull tugs, which were delivered in 2011, were only reintroduced to service in May after new fins were fitted to the hulls of the vessels to give them greater stability.

It is reported that, following discussions with the oil industry, the council has agreed to reverse a previous decision and go back to a four-tug operation, using smaller vessels. It has been claimed that Solan and Bonxie are bigger than is needed to safely guide tankers in and out of Sullom Voe. TTB