Cable ship conversions to Tyne

Cable & Wireless Global Marine has issued a letter of intent to Cammell Laird for the conversion of two roro ferries into cable laying and maintenance ships. The contract is valued at approximately £19 million ($29.5 million) and represents Cammell Laird’s largest cable ship conversion project to date.

The two 10,000gt sister ships were built in Denmark in 1982 and were converted into roro cargo ships in 1988. They will now be fitted with three new cable tanks and associated handling machinery and A frames. New generator packages will be installed, together with new thrusters and dynamic positioning systems. The contract also involves major accommodation refits.

The work is taking place at Cammell Laird’s Tyneside yard, and is due for completion by early December.