The M.V. Trans Gulf was built in West Germany and commissioned in October 1974. The ship has a length overall (LOA) of 79.6 meters, beam of 13.8 meters and a deep-draft design of 4.8 meters, with a service speed of 13.5 knots.

The vessel was designed to service the ports of Northern Norway where similar conditions exist to that of the North. She was constructed to the highest standards of DNV+1A1-ICE-C.

With three continuous decks, namely the tank top (lower hold), Tween deck (Ro-Ro deck), and the weather deck (main deck), the M.V. Trans Gulf has a deadweight capacity of 1700 tons. To handle and accommodate various cargos, the vessel is equipped with a stem ramp, lift platform, two hatches and a general purpose crane. This crane is capable of side lifting all the commonly used construction equipment up to 20t.

Fully modernized and with Solas Certification in 2005, two controllable pitch propellers and a bow thruster, the ship is capable of safely entering all ports. The vessel is in everyway fit for immediate service. Main cargo hold area carries a height of 5.22 meters (17.12 feet) versus the normal 4.25 meter (13.94 feet) height. This is a good feature considering it exceeds the highway maximum of 16.5 feet thus allowing all heavy road equipment to enter and the double stacking of containers. Stacking of containers can be carried out by the onboard crane.

Vessel exceeds requirements for a minimum lift capability of 10 tons with its crane having a lift capacity of 20 tons at 22 meters. It has coverage over 95 percent of the main deck hatch.

Vessel allows the carriage of heavy and light cargo on all three decks. Deck load ratings are a minimum of 5 tons/square meter versus the normal 1.5/2.5 tons per square meter as found on most Ro-Ro vehicle carriers.

Vessel is fitted with MacGregor hatches allowing loading on hatches as well as reducing cargo time through their ease of opening and closing while the vessel is engaged on short runs between ports.

The vessel is capable of handling 108 containers ISO.

All container cargo, including the larger twenty foot units can be handled as Ro-Ro traffic or as Lo-Lo traffic with the fitted 20 tons at 22 meter reach crane.

Vessel has excellent redundancy and maneuverability. She is equipped with twin screw (2 x 1750 BHP) and a larger than normal bow thruster for this type of vessel - 250 BHP.

Because the vessel is equipped with 2 shaft driven alternators in addition to the diesel generators, one can expect an additional fuel savings in not having to run a diesel generator while underway at sea.

Although twin engine, the vessel has a fuel consumption of just 8 to 9 tons while steaming at Eco 11 knots.

Vessel does not have the excessive upright superstructure as associated with the conventional high-freeboard types of Ro-Ro. This, coupled with its twin engine, bow thruster configuration will greatly widen its operational weather window for maneuvering in port.

Clear height clearance on the lower tank top deck is 3.15 meters (10.3 feet) allowing double height pallet storage and the carriage of 8 foot high containers below the main deck.

Between the Ro-Ro deck and the lower tank top hold is fitted a 25 ton platform elevator lift, allowing all drive on heavy lift traffic, the ability to be stowed below without the use of cranes. In addition, it allows forklift trucks the capability to load the lower hold.