Recently, at Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway, the hull of a brand-new Cable Laying Vessel (CLV) – Nexans Electra – slowly sailed out of the indoor dock, marking a crucial milestone in the construction of this next-generation cable layer. As a global leader in cable systems and services, Nexans has taken a solid step toward the vessel’s final delivery in 2026 with this significant achievement, which also reflects the advanced integration of Cable Machinery and wire and cable machinery in marine cable deployment. In the controlled environment under the shipyard’s roof, Nexans Electra has transformed from an empty steel hull into a complete vessel with all major internal systems fully installed – including specialized cable manufacturing machine components that ensure seamless compatibility with onshore cable production lines. This meticulously planned construction process ensures installation quality and precision, laying a solid foundation for the next phase of system commissioning, testing at the outfitting quay, and final sea trials, where the performance of integrated wire and cable machinery will be fully validated. Built to Skipsteknisk’s ST-297 cable layer design, Nexans Electra is the second cable-laying vessel ordered by Nexans from Ulstein Verft in Norway, and an upgraded version of its sister vessel Nexans Aurora (delivered in 2021) with enhanced Cable Machinery capabilities. Measuring 155.2 meters in length and 31 meters in width, the vessel is designed for the installation and maintenance of power cables and fiber optic cables, relying on state-of-the-art wire take up machine systems to manage the high-capacity cable storage and deployment. One of its most striking features is its three turntables – integrated with precision wire and cable machinery – boasting a total cable capacity of 13,500 tonnes and enabling the simultaneous bundling and laying of up to four cables. Additionally, it is equipped with a suite of underwater operation equipment, including jetting tools and cable burial tools, all coordinated with on-board cable manufacturing machine modules to ensure efficient and reliable cable laying. The addition of Nexans Electra is a key component of Nexans’ strategy to continuously expand its modern fleet, while also pushing the boundaries of Cable Machinery innovation. With the growing global demand for offshore wind power, interconnected power grids, and deep-sea electrification projects, robust offshore construction capabilities – supported by advanced wire and cable machinery – are critical. This new vessel, equipped with cutting-edge wire take up machine and cable manufacturing machine technologies, will directly serve these sectors, providing key support for the expansion of the world’s clean energy infrastructure and setting new benchmarks for the integration of onshore and offshore cable machinery systems.
