Nexans holds block party for Nexans Aurora cable layer

French offshore cabling specialist Nexans has hosted a grand block ceremony for its new cable installation vessel, the Nexans Aurora.

Nexans said that the grand blocks for the hull were being assembled at Crist, Poland, and that the vessel would be completed at Ulstein Verft in Norway.

The company added that representatives from the owner, shipbuilders, ship designer, and other partnering companies were present at the celebration.

The design is based on the combined experience of Nexans, Skipsteknisk, Ulstein Verft, and MAATS Tech.

Ragnhild Katteland, CEO of Nexans Norway, said: “The building of this groundbreaking cable-laying vessel is a major milestone in our company’s long term strategy heading for the future in the energy market, and with the grand block ceremony, we are one step further.

“To maintain our position as an important turnkey player in the field of submarine cables, contributing to securing the world’s energy supply by installing cable connections all around the world and contributing to the environmental green shift Nexans Aurora will be a most crucial asset.”

Lars Lühr Olsen, managing director of Ulstein Verft, added: “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.”

The Nexans Aurora has a 10,000-tonne capacity split turntable, the DP3 cable laying vessel. The vessel will be outfitted for power cable laying, including bundle laying, cable jointing and repair, and cable system protection and trenching.

The vessel is developed for operations in rough weather and has high maneuverability and station keeping capabilities.

To remind, Nexans cut first steel for the Nexans Aurora back in February this year. A Nexans manager then said that the vessel would be used A Nexans manager then said the vessel would be used to connect offshore wind farms to the grid, support electrification of offshore petroleum installations,  and to create interconnectors between countries.

GC Rieber will be the ship manager of the Nexans Aurora once it is delivered from Ulstein yard in 2021.

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