‘World’s most powerful’ subsea trencher in Port of Blyth for fit-out and commissioning

February 19, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

A new subsea trencher destined for Danish power cable manufacturer and installation firm NKT, deemed the world’s most powerful, has arrived at the UK’s Port of Blyth to continue the fit-out and commissioning.

NKT announced the investment in the NKT T3600 trencher in June 2025, as part of its ongoing investment in cable installation capabilities.

A month later, the Danish firm entered into a four-year frame agreement with Helix Robotics Solutions, the UK robotics division of Helix Energy Solutions Group, which includes installation, offshore operations, project engineering, and maintenance of the tool, to be deployed on a Helix-provided support vessel.

UK original equipment supplier Osbit is in charge of the design and construction of the trencher, as well as the launch and recovery system (LARS).

The T3600 will be capable of delivering 3,600 horsepower to bury cables to depths of up to 5.5 meters below the seabed. It will be equipped with both a jetting and cutting function, allowing it to operate in a wide range of soil conditions, NKT noted.