Nexans Aurora ꟾ Most State-of-the-art Cable Laying Vessel in the World

Nexans Aurora encompasses more than a century of Nexans’ experience in submarine cable installation and brings cable installation to the next level with regards to capacity and capability. With a large 10,000 tons capacity, split turntable, and a world leading vessel design, the vessel is well prepared for complex construction tasks in severe weather conditions anywhere in the world.

When finished in 2021, it will be the most state-of-the-art cable laying vessel in the world.

On 15 October 2019, Nexans hosted the grand block ceremony that represented a key step in the construction of its ground-breaking cable installation vessel, the ‘Nexans Aurora’.

The grand blocks are the major components in the construction of the hull. They are being assembled at CRIST, in the Polish port of Gdynia, while the engineering, outfitting and system integration, equipment preparations, testing, sea trials and finalizing will be carried out at Ulstein Verft, Norway. The ST-297 CLV is designed by Skipsteknisk.

The vessel will be outfitted for power cable laying, including bundle laying, cable jointing, repair, cable system protection and trenching.

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.

“The construction of this groundbreaking 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,” Ragnhild Katteland, Vice President Subsea & Land Systems, stated.

“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 vessel’s delivery in 2021, and we are well prepared and eager to finalize this newbuild project for Nexans,” added Managing Director Lars Lühr Olsen at Ulstein Verft.

 

Steel cutting for the DP3 cable laying vessel newbuild

The DP3 cable laying vessel represents a next step in offshore renewables with high maneuverability and station keeping capabilities. It 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.

“This is a proud moment for Nexans and an important milestone for the organization. Aurora will play a key role in the installation of our cutting-edge submarine cables to help bring more energy to the world, connect offshore wind farms to the grid, support electrification of offshore petroleum installations and create interconnectors between countries,” Vincent Dessale, Senior Executive VP Subsea and Land Systems Business Group at Nexans underlined.

The shipbuilding contract of Nexans next flag ship was announced in July 2018, and Ulstein Group CEO, Gunvor Ulstein, expressed Ulstein’s gratitude: “We have a strong organization with long experience in delivering advanced vessels, and we look forward to a constructive and fruitful cooperation with Nexans in the years to come”.