NEXANS SKAGERRAK

Nexans Skagerrak entered service in 1976 after construction at E. Ogrey Mekaniske Verksted and operated under several owners and names (Skagerrak, Havila Skagerrak, Bourbon Skagerrak) before Nexans acquired the vessel in 2006. The vessel completed the 580 km NorNed HVDC interconnector in 2008 and Cammell Laird carried out a comprehensive refit in 2010 that inserted a prefabricated 12.5 m hull section, extended the work deck and accommodation, and upgraded cable-handling systems. The ship was built specifically for submarine cable and umbilical installation and provides large on-deck cable storage (around 7,000 t capacity), a computerised cable-laying control system with lay-speed and load sensors, and high-accuracy echo sounding. She also carries heavy lifting and cable-handling equipment—including a 40 t A-frame, multiple cranes and linear winches—and deploys trenching systems such as Capjet and Spider ROVs; multiple bow and stern thrusters support precise station-keeping during laying operations. Operators have deployed Nexans Skagerrak on long-distance HVDC interconnectors, platform power-from-shore and umbilical projects in areas including the North Sea, Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico. Typical assignments include subsea interconnectors, high-voltage cable installation and burial, umbilical installation, and cable repair and maintenance.