Mobilisation of M/S Aura – From Open-Deck Cargo Vessel to Cable-Laying Vessel in Six Days
Seaworks Kabel was commissioned by Hengtong Submarine Power Cable to carry out cable-laying operations in Iceland during the summer of 2025. Cable-laying operations in Iceland are generally challenging due to harsh weather conditions, and the weather window for this type of operation is limited to the summer months.
For the assignment, the shipowner chartered the open-deck cargo vessel M/S Aura, which then had to be equipped with a complete cable-laying spread and the accommodation facilities required for such an operation. This had to be completed within the allocated window for loading the cable and the weather window available during Iceland’s summer season.
The cable-laying spread consisted of a cable carousel with a capacity of 1,800 tonnes of cable, a control tower, cable tensioners, a cable chute and other equipment. An ROV with a launch and recovery system was installed to monitor the cable-laying operation. The accommodation requirements were met through the installation of a modular accommodation unit.
| Vessel Data | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Meriaura Ltd. |
| Class notation | BV, I * HULL * MACH, Deck ship, Unrestricted navigation, DYNAPOS AM/AT R * AUT-UMS, Ice class 1A |
| Flag | Finland / Turku |
| LOA / LPP | 101.8 m / 95.50 m |
| Breadth | 18.8 m |
What challenges were solved?
NSK Ship Design was commissioned to design the vessel integration and provide follow-up for the three shipyards involved in the mobilisation work.
A cable-laying spread consists of many components and systems, and for a mobilisation of this kind, they must be adapted to the vessel and the sea loads they will be subjected to. A number of new truss structures were therefore designed specifically for each of the shipowner’s components to create a functional cable-laying spread. These were manufactured in Poland and transported to Halsnøy Dokk, where the integration of all cable-laying equipment was carried out. The carousel was also modified to fit M/S Aura, and its cable capacity was increased for the upcoming operation.
The technical condition of the equipment was assessed, and necessary maintenance and repairs were ordered and followed up.
The engineering work started in the winter of 2025. A total of five days was allocated for the installation of the accommodation module at Holland Shipyards in the Netherlands, and eight days for the cable-laying equipment at Halsnøy Dokk in Kvinnherad.
About the delivery
NSK Ship Design delivered the following:
Integration of cable-laying equipment, including the design of the cable chute, supporting structures for the cable-laying spread, etc.
Documentation for shipyard tenders.
Production drawings and documentation for item 1.
Documentation for MWS approval in accordance with item 1.
Site management during the stays at Holland Shipyard and Halsnøy Dokk.
NSK Ship Design – Control: Certification of the A-frame used for ROV deployment.
Result
Through close and effective cooperation with the shipowner and the shipyards, the vessel was completed two days ahead of schedule.