Designed by Skipsteknisk to operate near shore in shallow waters as well as deep-sea cable operations with cable laying equipment delivered from Maats Tech. The DP3 Cable Laying vessel is the most technologically advanced of its kind in the world. “CLV Nexans Aurora” offers sustainable operational solutions for silent operations, fuel, power generation and use of shore power. The 149.9m long and 31m wide vessel boasts over 10,000t of cable load capacity and is fitted with state-of-the-art instruments for cable transport, installation and protection.

Once launched, “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 the US.

Special design cable capstan
The Nexans Aurora will be the first of its kind in the offshore cable-laying sector. It’s 75t special design cable capstan provides the market leading capacity for installation of cables in deep waters of 2,000m and beyond. It has a 10,000t cable payload capacity. In addition to deep water, the vessel also has excellent shallow water capabilities to get close to shore for cable landing operations.

Furthermore, it’s one of the few cable-laying vessels in the world that can also support the installation of interconnectors. Interconnectors are critical infrastructure for strengthening the world’s power grid and improve energy supply and security by enabling better energy trading between countries.

The delivery of the “CLV Nexans Aurora” is an important step to fulfill our purpose “Electrify the Future”; creating a safer, more sustainable, renewable and inclusive global energy system. The “CLV Nexans Aurora” will contribute to unlocking the huge potential of offshore renewable energy for our customers worldwide. We are impressed by the effort done by the Ulstein Group, MAATS Tech Ltd and Skipsteknisk to deliver the “CLV Nexans Aurora” on time despite the uncertainties and difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

 Ragnhild Katteland, Executive Vice President, Subsea+Land Systems Business Group at Nexans.

“The ‘CLV Nexans Aurora’ is the result of close collaboration between customer, designer and sub-suppliers. We are incredibly proud to have delivered this project on time, despite the ongoing challenges due to Covid-19 and are immensely grateful to our team for their hard work and dedication. We look forward to seeing the Nexans Aurora in action and collaborating with Nexans on future projects.” said Cathrine Kristiseter Marti, CEO at Ulstein Group.

Recent sea trial
Snow-covered mountain tops, green hillsides, and a bright sun on a blue sky made a perfect frame for the ‘Nexans Aurora’, on her recent sea trial. From the bridge to the engine room only good mood and happy faces to be seen.

“There is always some excitement when all the systems onboard a new-build are tested together and over time. The sea trial will continue for a few more days, but at this point, everything has run smoothly”, says Nexans’ Vessel Operations Manager, Knut Flage.

 A thorough job leads to great results
“Blackouts are not uncommon on sea trials, but so far, we have experienced nothing of the kind on ‘Nexans Aurora’”, Knut says. He explains that the shipyard, Ulstein Verft, has done a thorough job from the start, and this now pays off. The success of the sea trial so far is also a big thank you to the suppliers. “High-quality components, delivery on time, and the overall composition of the work being done have resulted in less errors than is usual on sea trials”, he says. “This vessel is sophisticated, yet conventional. She is designed for her tasks but using well-tested components and solutions from quality suppliers”. says Frode Beyer, who is Nexans’ Project Manager.

 Quality is important
“Nexans is leading the charge of the energy transition by providing connected, sustainable, and decarbonized energy. There is a lot at stake when a vessel like the ‘Nexans Aurora’ is undergoing operations for customers and ‘Nexans Aurora’ is tailormade for the risks we are involved in,” says Frode Beyer. He explains that Nexans is committed to receiving the vessel on the scheduled time and to the agreed quality. “We cannot afford uncertainty,” he says. “When electrifying regions and countries, Nexans must deliver 100% reliable solutions. Power failure is not an option”.

Nexans has further strengthened its offering in the offshore wind and interconnector market by unveiling its second cable-laying vessel, the “Nexans Aurora”, to customers and stakeholders at a dedicated ceremony in September in Halden, Norway.

The ceremony saw Nexans CEO Christopher Guérin speak to customers and stakeholders about the role the new vessel will play in helping to meet the fast-growing demand for high voltage subsea cables and interconnectors, as part of the global energy transition.

Christopher Guérin, CEO of Nexans, said: “With global electricity demand expected to grow by 20% by 2030, the vessel will provide crucial infrastructure on our journey to net zero and full electrification. Not only will it help bolster renewable energy supply by laying high voltage subsea cables for offshore wind, the vessel will also help strengthen and modernize the energy grid through the installation of interconnectors. The new vessel embodies Nexans’ strategy to electrify the future and we look forward to continue working closely with partners as, together, we drive the global energy transition.”

To date, Nexans has invested more than €500M in the offshore wind sector and continues to expand its offshore wind operations around the globe. It already owns one purpose-built cable laying vessel, Nexans “Skagerrak”, and the Nexans “Aurora” will bring additional capabilities and capacity to the next level.

The company is currently involved in major offshore wind projects including the Seagreen project in Scotland. Earlier this year, Nexans won a contract with the Equinor offshore project in Brazil and has signed a preferred supplier agreement for the Empire Wind offshore project in New York. Its partnership with Orsted, meanwhile, means Nexans will supply cables that will connect offshore wind farms to the grid in the US.

Nexans is also involved in interconnector projects such as a project with ADMIE that will provide a one gigawatt (GW) link between the island Crete and Greece's mainland network.

For over a century, Nexans’ global mission has been to electrify the world, from energy generation and transition to distribution and usage, the solutions Nexans manufacture and install cover the full electrification value chain. The „Nexans Aurora“ strengthens Nexans role as a global a leader in the design and manufacturing of cable systems and services.

Nexans
4 All. de l'Arche, 92400 Courbevoie, France
Contact person is Minaa El Baz
Tel.: +33 1 78150465
minaa.el_baz@nexans.com
www.nexans.com