NKT has officially commenced the construction of its new cable-laying vessel, NKT Eleonora, with a ceremonial keel laying at one of Vard's shipyard facilities in Romania. The event signals the beginning of the vessel's construction, which is expected to enhance the company's capabilities in the global offshore cable market.
Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President and Head of HV Solutions at NKT, highlighted the significance of the new vessel: “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.
Set to begin operations in 2027, NKT Eleonora will join NKT's existing vessel, NKT Victoria, in its fleet of cable-layers. The new vessel will be equipped with three turntables, providing a cable-laying capacity of 23,000 tonnes. Additionally, it will be fitted with a variety of subsea tools to ensure precise installation and servicing of offshore cables.
NKT Eleonora will also be one of the first cable-laying vessels designed to operate on low-carbon methanol fuel, aligning with NKT's sustainability goals. This investment is part of NKT's broader strategy to strengthen its production and installation capacity across seven high- and medium-voltage sites globally.
