Ulstein Hands Over 155-Metre Cable-Laying Vessel to Nexans

Norway’s Ulstein Verft has delivered the cable-laying vessel (CLV) Nexans Electra to French cable systems designer and manufacturer Nexans, purpose‑built for the transport, laying, protection, repair and jointing of subsea power cables.

Nexans Electra was ordered as the second vessel by Nexans at Norway’s Ulstein Verft and is an updated version of sister vessel Nexans Aurora, delivered in 2021.

The 155.2-metre-long and 31-metre-wide vessel is based on the ST-297 CLV design by Skipsteknisk and is equipped with three turntables boasting a 13,500-tonne loading capacity. It will be capable of bundle laying of up to four cables simultaneously.

Ulstein Verft was responsible for the turnkey delivery of the vessel, including outfitting and finalization at its yard in Ulsteinvik. Following the launch of the hull from the dock hall on 13 November 2025, which marked the start of the final phase of testing and tuning, the Norwegian player reported on 28 April that the naming ceremony was held for the cable layer and marked by three godmothers.

“Execution is where subsea projects are won or lost, and our cable‑laying fleet is critical to success,” said Pascal Radue, Executive Vice President of Nexans Power Transmission Business Group. “The naming and handover of Nexans Electra mark a defining moment in our long‑term investment strategy. This vessel significantly expands our capacity to deliver the most complex subsea projects safely, efficiently, and sustainably, exactly what our customers need as the energy transition accelerates.”

Nexans Electra features Palfinger’s comprehensive equipment package, Remacut’s cable-lay equipment, Red Rock’s crane systems and several Hydroniq Coolers Pleat seawater coolers.

“With Nexans Electra, we are proud to add another advanced cable-laying vessel to the Ulstein delivery list. Together with Nexans Aurora, this project demonstrates our long-standing capability to deliver complex, tailor-made vessels to the international cable-laying market, in close collaboration with Nexans, an experienced and highly competent shipowner,” said Gunvor Ulstein, CEO of Ulstein Group.

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