With the goal of strengthening the U.S. energy infrastructure, Nexans and Crowley Wind Services announced a strategic alliance to build and operate a submarine cable installation barge for the installation of submarine cables. submarine cable installation barge US-flagged, fully Jones Act-compliant submarine cable installation barge.
About the new submarine cable barge
The 91-meter vessel will be built in Louisiana and operated by U.S. sailors. It will be equipped with dynamic positioning technology, multi-anchor system and vertical injectors, allowing precise cable installation even in adverse conditions.
The design includes a carousel with an initial capacity of 3500 tons for transporting and laying submarine cables, with the possibility of expansion to 7000 tons and double carousel. The barge will employ specialized tools such as propulsor sleds and ROVs to bury the cables, adapting to offshore wind, telecommunicationsoffshore wind, telecommunications and other coastal infrastructure projects.
Application in strategic wind projects
The first planned destination for this unit will be the Empire Windwind farm, powered by Equinor off the coast of New York. However, its modular design will allow it to serve other needs such as cable maintenance or subsea industrial installations.
Pascal Radue, executive vice president of Nexans’ PWR Group, noted that this unit adds to its global fleet to cover operations in U.S. coastal areas. Graham Tyson, vice president of operations at Crowley Wind Services, highlighted the project’s comprehensive logistics capabilities and its alignment with the country’s maritime development goals.
The project has union backing. The American Maritime Officers (AMO) and the Seafarers International Union (SIU) applauded the initiative for strengthening the domestic maritime workforce and supporting sustainable development.
Source and photo: Crowley Wind Services
