Enough with the Norwegian S***

Hopefully he can keep up the frenetic pace.

Wishful thinking

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​The Aasta Hansteen spar has arrived in Norway and will be discharged from Dockwise Vanguard in the nearest few days (weather permitting).

Here is an article from TU with video of the Loadout in Korea the discharging in Hoylandsbygd and the intended upending operation in Klosterfjorden: https://www.tu.no/artikler/na-naermer-det-seg-den-spektakulaere-snuoperasjonen-av-aasta-hansteen-skroget/396048

Update: She has arrived. Picture with updated report: https://www.tu.no/artikler/na-naermer-det-seg-den-spektakulaere-snuoperasjonen-av-aasta-hansteen-skroget/396048

The upending of the Aasta Hansteen Spare has commenced: http://sysla.no/offshore/na-heves-aasta-hansteen/
The Spare will be towed to Stord in upright position, at a draft of 160 m., where the deck will be mated by “Float-over” and the completed assembly towed to the field for installation sometime later this year.
First Oil is due late 2018.

The one and only Gas fire power plant in Norway will be dismantled and scrapped, unless somebody wants to buy for export for re-use somewhere where Gas is seen as a clean alternative for power generation: http://www.hegnar.no/Nyheter/Energi/2017/07/Kaarstoe-kraftverket-skal-rives

Built in 2007 at a cost of NOK 2.0 Bn. and hardly used. Link with full specs here: http://naturkraft.no/about-karsto-gas-power-plants/

In Norway Gas is regarded as a dirty fuel (relative to Hydro power, that is) and frowned upon by Naturalists and even the Government. The Kaasto Gas Power Station was built as backup to the normal electric supply. It was seen as a “necessary evil”, but has proven not to be needed and more of a problem for the Authorities: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kårstø_Power_Station

MS Lofoten is 53 years old and still going strong: https://www.hurtigrutenresan.se/en-us/our-ships/ms-lofoten/

Despite being old, without stabilizers and with vintage standard of amenities, this ship has a large following of people from all over the world that have made the trip on this ship many times and would not dream of joining any of the other 10, more modern and comfortable, ships in the service.

She is serving the Hurtigruten (Coastal Express) and making regular 11-day roundtrip Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen, with 34 stops each way year around and every day:
https://www.hurtigruten.com/ngm-travel-suggestions/sail-back-in-time-vintage-era-voyages-along-norwegian-coast/

Here is the impression of an Aussie blogger from a spring roundtrip on MS Lofoten: http://www.adventureliesinfront.com/crossing-the-arctic-circle-on-the-hurtigruten-ms-lofoten-in-norway/