NKT, a leader in power cable solutions, has officially marked a significant milestone with the keel-laying ceremony of its new state-of-the-art cable-laying vessel, NKT Eleonora. The ceremony, held at VARD’s shipyard in Romania, signifies the commencement of construction for this advanced vessel, which is poised to enhance NKT’s capability in meeting the increasing demand for offshore power cable installation.
Enhancing Capacity for a Sustainable Future
Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President and Head of HV Solutions at NKT in Karlskrona, emphasized the importance of the new vessel to the company’s strategy. “With NKT Eleonora, we are reinforcing our leading position in the global offshore cable market with unmatched installation capabilities. This ceremony symbolises our commitment to advancing offshore cable installation and investing in the energy infrastructure essential for the green transition,” Fennell commented.
Once operational in 2027, NKT Eleonora will complement NKT’s existing cable-laying vessel, NKT Victoria, and embody cutting-edge technology for sustainable operations.
NKT Eleonora: Features and Capabilities
NKT Eleonora has been designed as a next-generation cable-laying vessel to address the growing needs of large-scale offshore energy projects. Below are the vessel’s standout features:
- Cable Laying Capacity: A robust capacity of 23,000 tonnes across three turntables.
- Dimensions: A length of 176.5 meters and a breadth of 32 meters.
- Fuel Efficiency: Equipped with a dual-fuel system that utilizes methanol and HVO/marine diesel oil, making it one of the first cable-laying vessels designed to operate on low-carbon fuel.
- Advanced Technology: Powered by Wärtsilä 32 Methanol Engines and featuring an ABB Onboard DC Grid power system, aft Azipod electrical propulsion, cable-laying systems by NOV REMACUT, and more.
- Precise Operations: A wide range of subsea tools will enable precise installation and servicing of offshore cables.
- Design and Construction: Built by Norwegian shipbuilder VARD with engineering by Salt Ship Design.
The vessel, named “NKT Eleonora,” symbolizes “shining light” and reflects NKT’s central role in transmitting power through advanced cable solutions for a brighter and greener future.
Investing in Energy Infrastructure
NKT Eleonora is a part of NKT’s broader initiative to scale up its production and installation capacities across its high- and medium-voltage facilities. This investment highlights the company’s commitment to supporting the energy transition toward renewable sources and reinforcing the growing offshore wind market.
Expected to be operational by 2027, the NKT Eleonora will play a pivotal role in facilitating energy infrastructure projects vital to creating a sustainable energy future.
Conclusion
The keel laying of NKT Eleonora marks a promising step forward in innovation and sustainability for the offshore cable industry. With its advanced features, eco-friendly operations, and impressive cable-laying capacity, the vessel reaffirms NKT’s position as a global leader in offshore cable solutions and its dedication to driving the green energy transition.
