Shipbuilding group Ulstein has cut first steel for French cable manufacturer Nexans’ new DP3 cable laying vessel Aurora.
The vessel is due for delivery in 2021.
Ulstein Group chief executive Gunvor Ulstein said: “We have a strong organisation with long experience in delivering advanced vessels, and we look forward to a constructive and fruitful cooperation with Nexans in the years to come.”
The hull is being built at Crist, Poland.
Engineering, outfitting and system integration, equipment preparations, testing, sea trials and other final works will be carried out at Ulstein Verft, in Norway.
Skipsteknisk designed the ST-297 vessel.
Aurora will be outfitted for power cable laying, including bundle laying, cable jointing, repair, cable system protection and trenching.
Nexans subsea and land systems business group vice president Vincent Dessale said: “This is a proud moment for Nexans and an important milestone for the organisation.
“With this modernisation we will further strengthen our ability to deliver green power for the future.”
He added: “Aurora will play a key role in the installation of Nexans’ submarine cables to help bring more energy to the world, connect offshore wind farms to the grid, support electrification of offshore petroleum installations and create interconnectors between countries.”