I don’t think anybody have said that there are any Norwegian restrictions on length.
Besides I don’t think that this tug is intended for the US market, or designed and built to meet any US restrictions on length, or anything else American.
If he wanted a bigger tug and twin screws he could have bought or built one.
The facts:
It is just an innovative boat yard owner testing out an idea for a small, simple but powerful and highly manoeuvrable tug, intended to be “safest in the world”, using his own money.
There are already some interest, but he is not willing to sell before his invention has been thoroughly tested for safety and workability:
The video is just an amateur video shot from a drone and shows the tug being tested by the builder, incl. turning circles and crash stop.
Here is another amateur video showing the tug doing some twists and turns while having a tow wire over the stern:
They are also developing an “ice breaking bow” concept to fit on this tug:
https://fitjarposten.no/dafjorden-slipp-byggjer-isbrytar-for-verdsmarkanden/
Remember, just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done, or is a stupid idea.
Thanks heaven there are still some “Peter Smart” around that isn’t afraid of trying something new.