NEXANS AURORA
Cable Lay Vessel(ST-297 CLV)
Owner: Nexans · Operator: Nexans Marine Operations AS
CLVOperational
NODP3Helideck
NODP3HelideckAlso known as: 314 Hull
Key Specifications
Design Class
ST-297 CLV
Cable Capacity
10,000t
Laying Lines
2
Max Cable Diameter
400mm
Max Lay Depth
2000m
Transit Speed
14 knots
DP / Thrusters
DP3 (18.6 MW)
Year Built
2021
Emissions
ZERT 1 (Hybrid)
Depth Regime
Offshore
Nexans Aurora is owned and operated by Nexans Subsea Operations and was built by Ulstein Verft to a Skipsteknisk design. Construction milestones include steel cutting in February 2019, launch in November 2020, delivery on 31 May 2021 and a naming ceremony on 8 June 2021. The DP3-equipped vessel measures 149.9 m by 31 m, has a deadweight of about 17,000 tonnes and accommodation for up to 90 persons. Its cable-handling spread includes a 10,000 t split turntable, dual lay lines (including 75 t and 50 t capacities), a 450 t fibre-optic basket, a 150 t A-frame and an enclosed cable splicing area; propulsion and station-keeping combine six Bergen engines, ABB electric drives and Brunvoll thrusters under Kongsberg DP3 control. The vessel primarily serves offshore cable installation markets — notably offshore wind export/array cables, subsea interconnectors and electrification of offshore oil and gas installations — and performs cable jointing, protection, trenching and repair. It has been deployed on projects in Europe and the United States, including roles on Empire Wind and the Crete–mainland Greece interconnector.
Identification
NameNEXANS AURORA
Other Names314 Hull
Design ClassST-297 CLV
CategoryCable Lay Vessel
StatusOperational
IMO Number9862059
MMSI257682000
Call SignLALC8
Flag StateNorway
NorwayClass NotationDnV+1A, CableLayingVessel, E0, SF, NAUT(AW), Clean(Design), SPS, DYNPOS(AUTRO), COMF(C3)(V3), Strengthened(DK), ICE(C), BIS, BWM(T), VIBR, Silent(E), Recyclable
Dimensions
Length Overall149.9 m
LOA incl. Helideck155.2 m
Breadth31 m
Depth8 m
Max Draft8.8 m
Gross Tonnage22,263 GT
Net Tonnage6,679 NT
Deadweight20,708 t
Transit Speed14 knots
Deck & Cargo
Free Deck Space1,160 m2
Main Deck Area1,160 m2
Max Deck Load15 t/m2
Deck Strength10 t/m2
Max Cargo Weight10,000 t
Cranes
Crane 2 - Red Rock Marine
Red Rock Marine cherry picker
Crane 3 - Palfinger Marine
150-tonne A-frame
Facilities
Total Berths90
Total Cabins90
Single Cabins90
Double Cabins0
Recreation FacilitiesFacilities include dayrooms, a messroom, and a gym.
Office FacilitiesOnboard office facilities for crew and technical teams.
Helideck
Propulsion & Power
Propulsion Typediesel_electric
Propulsion System
Diesel-electric propulsion plant with six Bergen B33:45 diesel engine-generator sets (6 x 3,450 kW), driving ABB electric motors on three Brunvoll stern azimuth thrusters, supported by two bow tunnel thrusters and one retractable bow azimuth thruster, integrated with a DP3 dynamic positioning system.
Engine Type6 x Bergen B33:45 diesel engines
Number of Engines6
Total Power20,700 kW
Generator Power20.7 MW
Emissions ClassIMO Tier III
Environmental NotationClean(Design), Silent(E), VIBR, BWM(T), Recyclable
DP ClassDP3
Max Speed14 knots
Fuel Capacity2,660 m3
Hybrid System
Diesel-electric power plant with six Bergen B33:45L6 engines driving generators for ABB Azipod/propulsion motors, optimized for low emissions with IMO Tier III compliance, silent operation notation, shore power connection for port and cable loading operations, and an energy-efficient heat recovery system; no battery energy storage system is fitted on Nexans Aurora.
Thrusters
3x azimuth (3.2 MW each)
2x tunnel (3 MW each)
1x retractable (3 MW each)
Build Information
Delivery Date31 May 2021
ShipyardUlstein Verft AS
Construction CountryNorway
NorwayConstruction LocationHull built at CRIST shipyard, Gdańsk, Poland; outfitted and completed at Ulstein Verft AS, Ulsteinvik, Norway
Class NotationDnV+1A, CableLayingVessel, E0, SF, NAUT(AW), Clean(Design), SPS, DYNPOS(AUTRO), COMF(C3)(V3), Strengthened(DK), ICE(C), BIS, BWM(T), VIBR, Silent(E), Recyclable
Build CostNOK 1050M
Owner & Operator
Owner
Operator
Cable Lay Vessel Specifications
Cable Storage
Max Cable Load10,000 t
carousel - #1
Capacity10,000 t
ManufacturerMAATS Tech
Main concentric split cable turntable; operable in single or dual basket modes
fiber optic_tank - under deck(Below Deck)
Capacity450 t
ManufacturerMAATS Tech
Under deck fibre optic cable tank / basket
Cable Handling
Max Cable Diameter400 mm
Max Lay Depth2,000 m
Laying Lines2
Fiber Optic TankYes
Fiber Optic Capacity450 t
Tensioners
capstan - MAATS Tech
Max Tension75 t
Special design cable capstan (75 t SWL) for deep-water installation of cables in waters up to 2,000 m; part of vertical lay system
Shallow Water Operations
Depth RegimeOffshore
Spud CansNo
Number of Spud Cans0
Jointing Facilities
Jointing FacilityYes
Jointing Area175 m²
Cable Handling Hangar675 m²
ROV Support
Has ROVYes
Work Classwork class
ModelMerlin WR200
ManufacturerIKM Subsea
Power200 hp
Tether Length300 m
Umbilical Length3,000 m
ROV HangarYes