Dawn of a new day for Nexans Aurora

SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN TOPS, GREEN HILLSIDES, AND A BRIGHT SUN IN A BLUE SKY MAKE A PERFECT FRAME FOR THE LADY IN RED, CLV VESSEL NEXANS AURORA, ON HER SEA TRIAL. A SUNNY MOOD ALSO CHARACTERISES THE ATMOSPHERE ON BOARD THE VESSEL. THE SEA TRIAL COMMENCED WITH THE YARD’S SEA TRIAL ON MONDAY, 3 MAY, AND CONTINUED WITH THE TECHNICAL SEA TRIAL ON 5 MAY OF THIS YEAR.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ULSTEIN.

Tore Haugen and Jørgen Fosse from Bergen Engines got on board that partcular Monday. When interviewed afer two days of sea trial, they respond, “so far, so good”, and emphasise that most of the engine testng had been done before the trial, so their presence on board is more to be in a state of readiness. If nothing out of the ordinary happens, they can contnue to enjoy the sun and scenery. A talk with Terje Vestad and Jørgen Tof from thruster supplier Brunvoll strengthens the inital impression. That Monday was rather hectc, which is quite natural when thrusters are being tested. Afer checking and establishing that everything is in order, they comment that “things have gone well and according to plan”. Some would argue that the most important functon of a ship is the galley. Daniel and Ovar Hatløy are hired as stewards, and they give prety much the same feedback. “Everything works fne and keeps a high standard. When we ask people on board about the food being served, they reply with a thumbs up.”

Preparation is everything

Nexans’ Technical Manager Knut Flage says, “blackouts are not uncommon on sea trials, but so far we have experienced nothing of the kind on Nexans Aurora.” Mr Flage explains that Ulstein Verf shipyard has done a thorough job from the very start, and the result of this is now experienced. “This is not always the standard way of working. Many shipbuilding projects do not prioritse the testng and run-throughs at the yard, and this ofen results in more complicated sea trials.” The success of the sea trial so far is also a big thank you to the suppliers. “High quality components, delivery on tme, and the overall compositon of the work being done has resulted in far fewer errors than usual on sea trials like this”, adds Mr Flage.

Quality

“We are very pleased with the compositon of the soluton”, says Frode Beyer, Project Manager at Nexans. He contnues, “This vessel is sophistcated, yet >>

Mrs Anne Lise Aukner, former Managing Director of Nexans Norway, at Nexans Aurora’s naming ceremony.

Even though we have had to manage this project through a worldwide pandemic, we have achieved every milestone.

conventonal. She is designed for her tasks, but with the use of well-tested components and solutons from quality suppliers. Nexans is in charge of the energy transiton by providing connected, sustainable, and decarbonised energy. There is a lot at stake when a vessel like Nexans Aurora undergoes operatons for customers, and this vessel is tailormade for taking on the risks involved.” He explains that Nexans is commited to delivering the vessel on the scheduled tme and to the agreed quality. “We cannot aford uncertainty. When supplying electric power to regions and countries, Nexans must deliver 100% reliable solutons. Power failure is not an opton.”

Overcoming obstacles

“Even though we have had to manage this project through a worldwide pandemic, we have achieved every milestone”, says Mr Beyer. He contnues by saying that the way Ulstein has taken all necessary precautons has been very valuable to Nexans. He sums up, “The way Ulstein has dealt with the COVID-19 situaton is worldclass, the policy implemented within the organisaton has been very ratonal, and the challenge regarding COVID-19 has been taken seriously from day one at Ulstein.”

Final work before delivery

The sea trial will end in the beginning of week 19. Hans Karsten Voldsund, Project Manager at Ulstein Verf, shares, “It is a lot to think about, but I have valuable help from the people around me.” He is positve, although there are stll many tests that need to be executed and there is stll work to be done at the yard before delivery. “We need to complete the outitng of the vessel, some paint jobs, everything needs to be cleaned up to look good for delivery. We will also run some tests on the A-frame and some of the winches to check the hydraulics and functons on these systems.”

Delivery and naming ceremony

The fnal milestone of the Nexans Aurora constructon adventure was reached on

The vessel will play a vital role in installing Nexans’ cutting-edge HV submarine cables that will bring more energy to the world.

The sea trial of the CLV vessel Nexans Aurora started on 3 May of this year.

SPECS Aurora

The fnal milestone of the Nexans Aurora construction was reached on 31 May 2021, when the DP3 Cable Laying Vessel was delivered.

PURPOSE The vessel will play a vital role in installing Nexans’ cutting-edge HV submarine cables that will bring more energy to the world, help to connect offshore wind farms to the grid, supporting electrifcation of offshore petroleum installations, and creating interconnectors between countries.

EXTERNAL DESIGN Built by Year

Ulstein Verft 2021 Owned by Nexans Aurora Designed by Skipsteknisk, Ålesund Ordered by Nexans Subsea Operations

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS Length Beam Dead weight Speed (max) Accommodation

149.9m 31m 17,000t 14 knots 90pob

CAPACITIES Cable capacity Fibre optic basket

10,000t 450t 31 May 2021, when the DP3 Cable Laying Vessel, the state-of-the-art fagship of the Nexans feet, was delivered from Ulstein Verf. “I am proud to see the Nexans Aurora delivered on tme, despite the parallel handling of the pandemic with all implicatons, restrictons, and delays in areas such as producton, sourcing, travel restrictons, quarantnes, and so on. It is an extraordinary achievement that Ulstein has managed to keep COVID-19 of their premises throughout the entre project”, comments Ulstein Group CEO Cathrine Kristseter Mart. Mr Voldsund emphasises that the good cooperaton between partes and the dedicaton and hard work from everyone involved have been crucial for the success of the project.

Nexans Aurora was ofcially named at Ulstein Verf on 8 June 2021, afer which she will leave for her home port of Halden and Nexans’ subsea high voltage cables competence centre. The lady sponsor for the naming ceremony is Mrs Anne Lise Aukner, former Managing Director of Nexans Norway.

i. ulstein.com