Feature 5 | RepaiR and conveRsion
Cammell Laird awarded conversion
contract by Nexans
UK-based Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd. has been
awarded a major contract by Nexans AS of Norway to lengthen a cable-laying
vessel. This contract represents a massive win for the newly reformed UK yard.
N
exans AS is a subsidiary of the
international French-based
cable giant, Nexans Group. The
contract is to lengthen the cable-laying
vessel, C/S Nexans Skagerrak.
Nexans Skagerrak is one of the most
advanced cable-laying vessels around at
the moment, with a 7000tonne capacity
turntable and a state-of-the-art global
positioning system (GPS). Nexans
Skagerrak successfully laid a 400kV
submarine cable across the 28km Strait
of Gibraltar, and is laying a 576km long
high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable
between Norway and the Netherlands.
Between 2008 and 2009, the vessel was
responsible for laying a 292km 150kV
HVDC cable to power the Valhall oil
field from the Norwegian mainland.
The details of the contract include
lengthening the vessel from its current
size of 106m to 118.5m. This will c/s Nexans Skagerrak, shown here in an earlier dry-docking phase (credit: nexans Group).
be undertaken by inserting a new
hull section, installing an additional
accommodation module and supporting Birkenhead and are eagerly looking forward prestigious customer such as Nexans
systems and the installation of a to the dry-dock phase of the project.” is an endorsement of the world class
new working deck complete with Cammell Laird is expecting to skills we have in the shipyard. Moreover
cable-handling equipment. Such begin conversion work on C/S Nexans it confirms the quality of our facilities,
modifications will allow the vessel to Skagerrak in late January for the including our modular shipbuilding
perform more cable-laying operations conversion. hall, one of the largest in Europe.”
thus adding value to the shipowner. In Chief executive officer of Cammell Syrvet did not play down the
addition to the hull modifications, the Laird, John Syrvet, said that the importance of this contract, adding what
owner is also upgrading the existing conversion contract was a ‘massive win’ it would mean for the local Merseyside
accommodation, installing new hotel for the yard, helping to showcase the economy: “Last year we pumped more
systems and installing new deck cranes yard’s skills and breadth of facilities to than £33 million [US$54.5 million] into
to both extend the service life of the the international conversion market. the local economy. This contract will
vessel and increase her overall autonomy Syrvet added: “We have a clear aim further help maintain 200 jobs directly
whilst at sea. to catapult the business forward into in the shipyard and 100 sub contracting
Managing director of Cammell Laird, the global marine market. We are well roles. We are using many local marine
Linton Roberts, said: “This challenging known for our work with the [UK] services firms to help us deliver the
scope of work requires the full range Ministry of Defence. However, we best possible results for what is a highly
of our trade skills and considerable also undertake extensive work in the technical and demanding conversion.
engineering experience. We have already commercial market and a key target Projects like this are the best advert
successfully completed significant for us has always been the international possible to sell this shipyard and the
pre-fabrication and engineering work ship conversion industry. To be awarded Merseyside marine business ‘cluster’ to
in advance of the vessel’s arrival at a conversion of this quality from a the global market.” OMT
34 Offshore Marine Technology 1st Quarter 2010
Cammell Laird awarded.indd 34 27/01/2010 14:28:03
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