The DP2 cable installation vessel Maersk Connector has been handed over from Damen Shipyards Group to Maersk Supply Service.
The vessel is directly going on a long-term charter for subsea services provider DeepOcean. Based on Damen’s DOC 8500 platform, the vessel has been customised to meet the challenges of reducing offshore renewables costs. Owned and operated by Maersk Supply Service, the vessel is the latest addition to the 50-plus Maersk offshore support vessel fleet.
Cable Installation
So far the vessel has been contracted to undertake marine works for three DeepOcean contracts: the Walney Extension Project, the Nemo Link interconnector and the Bligh Bank Phase II Offshore Wind Farm. In combination with new survey, trenching and installation equipment, Maersk Connector enables DeepOcean to deliver more efficient, cost-effective and safer cable installation.
Contributing to production efficiency, the vessel is capable of grounding out with its seven points mooring system. This eliminates the need for a separate shallow water cable lay vessel and minimises the number of cable joints required. The bespoke 7000-tonne carousel system accommodates bundled installation of high specification cables with no requirement to coil the cables.
Damen Offshore Carrier Platform
Built at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania, Maersk Connector is the second of a new generation of cable-laying vessels based on the proven Damen Offshore Carrier (DOC) platform. Developed as a flexible platform for both transport and installation work offshore, the DOC 8500 is 138 metres in length and has a beam of 27.5 metres.
