DeepOcean has named its latest vessel, the Maersk Connector, in Newcastle.
The ceremony was held at A&P Tyne, where work to install the duel concentric 7000-tonne split capacity basket carousel, loading arms and associated cable handling equipment is nearing completion.
The Maersk Connector was built by Dutch shipbuilder Damen to a bespoke DeepOcean specification, on schedule and budget. She was delivered in cooperation with vessel owner Maersk Supply Service and is on long-term charter to DeepOcean.
The vessel is the second of a new generation of cable-laying vessels developed by the Damen Shipyards Group. Equipped with survey and trenching capabilities, she will extend DeepOcean’s capabilities in the larger cable-laying end of the market, representing a new focus on interconnector projects in addition to oil and gas sector and renewables work.
The 7000-tonne carousel make the vessel well-suited for installation and burial projects from land-fall to deepwater and also for operations in remote geographical locations.
Collaboration between DeepOcean and A&P is ongoing to ensure the vessel is ready to carry out secured work commitments.
DeepOcean Commercial Director Pierre Boyde said: "The Maersk Connector is the most advanced power cable lay vessel in the world and the only vessel of her type that can go right up to the beach and go aground fully loaded with cable. She can install a power cable in a single length from the beach to the offshore wind farm, enabling increased reliability and reducing cost for the system operators. The vessel will be used to install the export cables of the Walney Extension windfarm in the UK followed by the Nemo Link interconnector project."