Nexans launches Electra to boost offshore electrification capacity

The launch moves the project into its next phase, with commissioning and testing now set to continue at the outfitting quay ahead of final sea trials.

The vessel has spent recent months under cover at Ulstein Verft, where it progressed from a bare steel hull to a near-complete ship with major internal systems installed in controlled conditions to ensure maximum build quality and precision.

Nexans Electra will offer significantly enhanced capacity and capability compared with the company’s existing fleet. Designed to meet the demands of increasingly complex subsea electrification projects, the vessel will be able to carry up to 13,500 tonnes of cable across three turntables and lay as many as four cables simultaneously.

Pascal Radue, executive vice president of Nexans power transmission business group, said the launch underlined the company’s commitment to supporting global electrification: “Our fleet is at the heart of what we do as an EPCI company. Each vessel represents our ability to deliver the world’s most complex subsea projects safely and on time. The launch of the Nexans Electra hull marks an important milestone towards expanding our capacity to support the acceleration of the global energy transition.”

The build highlights Ulstein Verft’s role as a leading shipyard in the construction of advanced offshore vessels, with Norway’s long-standing expertise in marine engineering continuing to support developments in sustainable maritime technology.

With Nexans Electra, the company is further strengthening its fleet to meet rising demand from offshore wind, power interconnector projects, and deep-sea electrification as global infrastructure investment continues to pivot toward renewable energy.