Damen delivers innovative cable layer to Van Oord

Nexus

JANUARY 9, 2015 — Despite encountering some challenges during the build process, Damen Shipyards delivered an innovative new DOC 8500 cable laying vessel to offshore contractor Van Oord on December 22,  several days ahead of the specified completion date.

Named Nexus, the 126 m vessel is intended for the installation of electrical cables for offshore wind farms. Van Oord is currently making preparations for the Gemini offshore wind farm which will be constructed 55 km to the north of Schiermonnikoog, one of the Dutch Wadden Islands, and the Nexus will initially be deployed at that site.

The entire design, engineering and build took just 15 months, even though additional work was added to the specification after the contract was signed, with additional cable-laying infrastructure being installed prior to handover.

Damen says the success of the project was thanks to a number of factors. The level of cooperation between Van Oord and Damen was highly intensive from the outset, with very short lines of communications between the decision makers on both sides.

An additional factor was the shipbuilder’s ability of Damen to draw on the expertise on a number of companies within the Damen  group. Six Damen companies in Romania, Ukraine and the Netherlands contributed engineering and project management expertise; the vessel itself was constructed at Damen Shipyards Galati.

Jaap de Jong, Van Oord’s Staff Director Ship Management Department, commented: “By working closely together, Damen and Van Oord managed to build a fit-for-purpose and economical vessel in a very short period of time. The Nexus is an asset to Van Oord’s fleet and its Offshore Wind Projects business unit.”

The Nexus is now at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, where Van Oord is building and installing additional cable laying equipment.

The Damen Offshore Carrier (DOC) concept was first introduced by Damen in 2012 as a cost-effective smaller heavy transport, offshore installation and ro-ro platform suitable for multiple markets. With its spacious and flush open deck the design is highly adaptable and its modular construction means that it can switch quickly and economically between roles.