Grand block ceremony held for newbuild Nexans cable layer (Photos)

Nexans and Ulstein have held the grand block ceremony for the new cable-laying vessel (CLV) Nexans Electra, bringing the vessel closer to realization.

The ceremony was celebrated on September 10 at CRIST, Poland, with the remaining processes such as engineering, outfitting, system integration, equipment preparations, testing, sea trials, and finalization to take place at Ulstein Verft in Norway.

On January 19, on the day four months after signing the shipbuilding contract, Nexans Marine Operations and Ulstein Verft celebrated the start of the construction of the CLV.

“The grand block ceremony for the Nexans Electra brings us closer than ever to achieving our goal of sustainably electrifying the world. We are looking ahead in anticipation at the day when the Electra is in the water, delivering cables that drive the energy transition forward,” said Pascal Radue, EVP of Nexans Generation and Transmission Business Group.

Based on an ST-297 CLV design by Skipsteknisk, Nexans Electra, ordered as the second ship by Nexans at Ulstein Verft, is an updated version of the sister vessel Nexans Aurora, delivered in 2021.

According to Ulstein, it is specially designed to transport and lay high-voltage subsea cables, including cable bundles, recovery, and repair. The 149.9-meter-long DP3 CLV features a split turntable on deck capable of holding up to 10,000t of cable, an under-deck turntable with a 3,500t cable capacity, and a fiber optic tank holding 450t fiber cable. 

Lars Lühr Olsen, Managing Director at Ulstein Verft, said: “The vessel is well-prepared for installing complex cable connections in severe weather conditions worldwide. Ulstein Verft will handle the final outfitting, commissioning, and testing before the vessel’s delivery in 2026. We are well-prepared and eager to complete this newbuild project for Nexans.”

Palfinger has been hired to provide a comprehensive equipment package for the vessel, Italian company Remacut, part of NOV, will deliver the cable-lay equipment, while Red Rock will provide an upgraded crane package.