It is sad to see this fine vessel leaving the Solvang fleet, after having served the company for 18 years ! “Kongsgas” is the vessel with the longest career flying the company ensign, and was the last link to “old” Solvang, originally managed by the Gowart-Olsen family in Stavanger, using the Prefix “Kongs” on their vessels.
Nothing last forever, not even well maintained vessels like the “Kongsgas” and “Clipper Gas”. As a consequence of market conditions combined with age, demolition was the only alternative for these fine vessels.
“Kongsgas” was handed over to her new owners, Green Navigation Ltd. in Monrovia Liberia, off- Fujairah on July 10th at 15:20 hours GMT, 18 years and 1 day after the Solvang-Sphere took over the vessel. “Kongsgas” has now been renamed “Kong Gas”.
The vessel arrived at Alang Beach on July 15th at 00:48 hours, and was beached at Plot No. 115 on the 16th at 20:45 hours.
“Kongsgas” last commercial voyage was from La Coruna, where she loaded Butane for New Jersey. Her captain on this voyage was Odd Kristiansen, who was relieved by Antero Suominen passing Gibraltar on ballast voyage from New Jerrsey to Fujairah.
“Kongsgas” was bought- and taken over by K/S A/S Kongsgas ( Limited Partnership Kongsgas ) on July 9th 1984 at 14:55 hours, enroute from Rafnes to Tees. Sellers were K/S A/S Hesperus ( Rederiet Helge R. Myhre A/S) in Stavanger. The vessel was now renamed "Kongsgas", in tradition with Brødrene Olsen`s naming tradition, using names with Prefix "Kongs". Solvang`s share in the limited partnership were originally 32 %, over the years increased to 59,5 %. This was Solvang`s first investment in gas carriers.
Under the command of captain Gudleik Haneferd, presently Maritime Inspector and Designated Person in Solvang, the vessel left Rafnes on July 9th at 12:45 hours, and arrived in Tees on the 10th at 14:25 hours. “Kongsgas” left Tees bound for Rafnes on the 11th at 10:35 hours, after having loaded 6742,566 mts Propane.
"Kongsgas" was built at Moss-Rosenberg Verft in Moss for the account of A/S Hanico in Oslo, and was named "Fernbrook" when delivered to her owners in August 1976 as the third and last 12000 cbm vessel delivered from the yard to companies in the Fearnley & Eger-Sphere. A/S Hanico was a company owned by shipowner Halvor Nicolai Astrup (born 1939), a younger brother to Nils Jørgen Astrup (born 1935), the CEO of Fearnley & Eger A/S. Halvor N. was also the CEO of Skipsaksjeselskapet "Kim" in Oslo. Halvor`s twin brother Hans Rasmus, is the owner of Fearnleys A/S, one of the worlds leading shipbroking companies. The oldest Astrup brother Thomas (born 1927), was Chairman of The Board in Fearnley & Eger A/S.
As a result of A/S Hanico`s economical situation in the mid 1970`s, "Fernbrook" was taken over by the builders ( K/S A/S Hesperus ) in December 1978, and renamed "Hesperus". Rederiet Helge R. Myhre A/S became new managers.
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI
John M. Gramstad
