The flotel “Edda Fides”, guest of the port of Las Palmas

The flotel “Edda Fides” (IMO 9456290), the first of its kind built in Spain and one of the largest in the world in its genre, is back at the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Contracted in 2008 by Edda Accommodation (Malta) Ltd., a subsidiary of the Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi, it is a floating hotel designed by Offshore Solutions B.V. (OSBV) with a capacity for 600 people and has served as accommodation at sea for technicians and workers of oil platforms since its delivery.

Since 1974, the Østensjø Rederi group has specialized in the accommodation of oil platform personnel and, in addition to a fleet of specialized tugboats, has a dozen support vessels, two of which have been built in Spanish shipyards and since March 2011, with the construction of the vessel “Edda Fides”, designed specifically as a residence ship of maximum comfort and quality in accommodation, taking into account safety standards and environmental respect.

Construction number 1,664 from Astilleros Barreras, it is a ship with a striking maritime appearance with a hull of 130 meters in total length, 27 m in beam, and 7 m in draft, with a deadweight of 7,500 tons. It maintains a cruising speed of 12 knots powered by a diesel-electric system that drives six engines of 2,925 kW each and five Voith-Schneider azimuth thrusters, three located at the stern and two at the bow, which rotate 360º.

It features a dynamic positioning system that allows the vessel to maneuver in a position parallel to the platform, with minimal movement considering the force of currents, prevailing winds, and waves of five meters.

The vessel has a helipad located at the stern of the bridge, a main deck of almost two thousand square meters, three cranes with different lifting capacities, and a 15-meter telescopic gangway installed at the bow, allowing workers to access the platforms safely. In addition to the 180 cabins designated for rest and distributed over four decks, it has conference and meeting rooms, communication equipment, satellite television and internet, as well as a gym, sauna, swimming pool, library, cinema, and recreational areas.

The investment in the construction of the vessel “Edda Fides” amounted to 140 million euros and represented two million hours of work for nearly a thousand people. Astilleros Barreras secured the contract in competition with 34 other shipyards worldwide that responded to the call from the aforementioned Norwegian company based in Haugesund.

Photos: Nicolás Arocha for puentedemando.com