Maersk Connector Loads First Nemo Link Cables

DeepOcean’s Maersk Connector has completed loading of the first phase on the Nemo Link cables in the port of Blyth.

Two 59-kilometre-long 400kv HVDC XPLE cables were simultaneously spooled from a freighter onto the 7,000 te. split capacity duel concentric carousel.

The vessel is now on her way to the UK coast near Ramsgate where she will commence the installation of the cables. The cables will be buried by DeepOcean’s T3200 trencher.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by DeepOcean in the second quarter of 2018.

Nemo Link will consist of two subsea and underground cables connected to a converter station and an electricity substation in Belgium and the UK, which will allow up to 1,000MW of electricity to flow in either direction between the two countries.

Under the contract with J-Power Systems, a division of Sumitomo Electric, DeepOcean is responsible for all marine works associated with the installation and protection of the HVDC bundled cables from the transition joint bay in Kent, UK to the transition joint bay in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

The offshore works is scheduled to be completed in 2018. In addition to the installation and trenching of the bundled cable system, DeepOcean’s work scope includes route surveys and engineering, pre-lay grapnel runs, out of service cable clearance, pre-sweeping in sandwave areas and crossings construction.