INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
Nexans celebrates next step
in construction of its cable
installation vessel, Aurora
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O
n October 15, 2019, Nexans
hosted the grand block ceremony
that represented a key step in the
construction of its groundbreaking cable
installation vessel, Nexans Aurora. The
vessel’s hull is currently being built in Poland
and will be completed at Ulstein Verft in
Norway, with delivery planned for 2021.
The grand blocks are the major components
in the construction of the hull and are being
assembled at CRIST, in the Polish port of
Gdynia. Representatives from Nexans,
the shipbuilders, the ship designer and
other project partners were present at the
celebration. The Aurora design is based
on the combined experience of Nexans,
Skipsteknisk, Ulstein Verft and MAATS
Tech, each world leaders in their own fields.
The aim is to produce a subsea cable and
umbilical systems installation vessel for
worldwide operations, covering the full range
of shallow and deep subsea activities.
Ragnhild Katteland, Vice President Subsea
and Land Systems, said: “The construction of
this ground-breaking cable laying vessel is a
major milestone in our long-term strategy for
the future of the global energy market. It will
enable Nexans to maintain and extend our
position as an important turnkey player in
the field of subsea cables.
“In particular, the capability to install cables
at even greater depths will contribute to
securing the world’s energy supply and
advancing the shift to environmentally
friendly green electricity from renewables.
Nexans Aurora will be a crucial asset.”
“The vessel is well prepared for complex
construction tasks in severe weather
conditions anywhere in the world. Ulstein
Verft will carry out the final outfitting,
commissioning and testing prior to the
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vessel’s delivery in 2021, and we are well
prepared and eager to finalise this new build
project for Nexans,” said Lars Lühr Olsen,
Managing Director at Ulstein Verft.
Bringing energy to the world
Nexans Aurora builds on over a century of
Nexans’ experience in submarine cable
installation to bring cable installation to the
next level in terms of capacity and capability.
With a 10,000 ton capacity, split turntable
and a world-leading vessel design, Aurora is
well prepared for complex construction tasks
in severe weather conditions anywhere in the
world. The DP3 cable laying vessel represents
a next step in offshore renewables with
high manoeuvrability and station keeping
capabilities. She will be outfitted for power
cable laying, including bundle laying,
cable jointing and repair and cable system
protection and trenching.
The vessel will play a vital role in installation
of Nexans’ cutting-edge high voltage (HV)
submarine cables that will bring more energy
to the world, helping connect offshore wind
farms to the grid, supporting electrification of
offshore oil and gas installations and creating
interconnectors between countries. n
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