The DP3 cable laying vessel Nexans Aurora was named at Ulstein Verft on 8 June 2021. The 149.9-metre-long and 31-metre-wide vessel boasts over 10,000 tonnes of cable load capacity and is fitted with state-of-the-art instruments for cable transport, installation, and protection.
The lady sponsor of the vessel is Mrs Anne-Lise Aukner, former Managing Director of Nexans Norway. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the project progress has been steady, and the vessel was delivered on time on 31 May 2021, three years after the signing of the shipbuilding contract. Watch a video of the sea trials below.
Once launched, cable laying vessel (CLV) Nexans Aurora will lay export cables for offshore wind farms and interconnectors around the world like for the Seagreen OWF in Scotland, the Crete-Attica interconnector in Greece and the Empire Offshore Wind project in US.
The vessel is an advanced CLV specially designed to install and maintain a large selection of submarine distribution systems, including installation of High Voltage submarine systems, bundled products, telecom systems and submarine umbilical systems. It is also suitable for inspection, repair and maintenance of submarine systems, cable system protection and trenching and general subsea survey and construction work.
Also read: Large cable layer contract for Ulstein
‘We are grateful to have been awarded this contract from Nexans,’ says CEO of Ulstein Group, Cathrine Kristiseter Marti. ‘This achievement is also a result of the complete maritime cluster in this area. The close dialogue and cooperation within this highly competent environment results in reduced lead time and are important elements to ensure good progress. In addition, the cooperation between Ulstein, Nexans and the designer, Skipsteknisk, has been crucial for a successful project.’
Ragnhild Katteland, Executive Vice President, Subsea & Land Systems Business Group at Nexans adds: ‘The delivery of the CLV Nexans Aurora is an important step to fulfil our purpose “Electrify the Future”; creating a safer, more sustainable, renewable and inclusive global energy system. The Nexans Aurora will contribute to unlocking the huge potential of offshore renewable energy for our customers worldwide.’
Also read: Ørsted and Van Oord install 94 cables at Borssele offshore wind farm
Vessel particulars
- Length over all: 149.9 m
- Length between pp: 142.8 m
- Breadth moulded: 31.0 m
- Depth moulded to tween deck: 8.3 m
- Depth moulded to main deck: 12.8 m
- Scantling draught: 8.8 m
- Design draught: 7.0 m
- Deadweight: 20,800 t
- Max speed: 14.5 kn
- Endurance: 40 days
- Bollard Pull: 140 t
- Classification: DNV GL
- Flag: NIS
- Accommodation: 90 POB, all in single berths cabin
- DP3
Tank capacities
- Fuel oil: 2,660 m3
- Lub oil: 110 m3
- Potable water: 863 m3
- Water ballast: 11,640 m3
Engines
- 6 x Rolls-Royce Main gen sets – each of 3600kW.
- SCR System, Tier III.
- 1 x Pon Power Harbor gen set – 1432kW. SCR System, Tier III.
- 1 x Scania Emergency gen set – 450-511kW
Propulsion
- 3 x Brunvoll Main Azimuth Thrusters – each 3200kW
- 2 x Brunvoll Tunnel Thrusters – each 3100kW
- 1 x Brunvoll Retractable Azimuth Thruster – 3000kW
Cranes/lifts
- 2 x knuckle boom Offshore Cranes SWL 10T at stern
- 1 x telescopic Offshore Crane SWL 20T midship
- 1 x Aux. Crane SWL 5T
- 2 x Provision Cranes SWL 1T
- 2 x Gantry Cranes SWL 5 T in cable hangar. (single and dual lift)
- 2 x Cherry Pickers at stern
- 1 x A-frame at Stern with 2 x 75 Tons heave compensated winches, total SWL 150 T
Cable lay equipment
- 1 x 10 000 T Carousel Basket type, on-deck Split Turntable (2 x 5000t compartments)
- 2 x Loading Arms
- 2 x 25 t Tensioners
- 1 x 5 t Tensioners
- 2 x 3 t Tensioners
- 2 x 75 t Stern Lay Wheels
- 1 x Bundling System
- 1 x Cable lay control system
Picture by Ulstein/Per Eide Studio.
