Norwegian Ship of the Year 2017 with Polish input!
Photo: Olav Thokle
The NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel has been awarded the Ship of the Year 2017 prize in Norway. During a ceremony at the Nor-Shipping exhibition in Lillestrøm, the award was presented to CEO and president of NKT, Michael Hedegaard Lyng, captain Svein Ole Sæter, CEO of Salt Ship Design, Arne Stenersen, and CEO of Kleven, Ståle Rasmussen by Anniken Hauglie, the Norway’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon Magnus. Some Polish companies and specialists have contributed to the ship’s construction.
NKT Victoria, a state-of-the-art cable laying vessel was contracted by ABB in September 2015. She was delivered to her owners NKT HVC AS on 10 April 2017, due to NKT’s acquisition of ABB HV Cables in September 2016.
NKT Victoria is one of the world’s most advanced and its innovative and beachable design is the result of extensive experience in offshore installation operations. The vessel is capable of simultaneous dual high-voltage DC and fiber optic cable-laying and deep-sea high-voltage AC installation using a high-capacity tensioner system. These, and many more cutting-edge features, contribute to higher efficiency and precision of the installation and service execution, while offering maximum safety for both crew and the cables.
Photo: courtesy of NKT
The prestigious Ship of the Year-award is instituted by the major Nordic shipping magazine Skipsrevyen. Prize candidates are nominated by the readers of the magazine, but the final election is the responsibility of a jury consisting of CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Mr. Sturla Henriksen, Mr. Lars Gørvell-Dahll, Director, Maritime Sector of the Federation of Norwegian Industries and Editor of Skipsrevyen, Mr. Asle B. Strønen.
The jury has recognized NKT Victoria’s state-of-the-art capacities and innovations as a world leading cable-laying vessel. She represents the best competence within Norwegian ship design and shipbuilding, according to the jury.
The vessel is capable of simultaneous dual high-voltage DC and fiber optic cable-laying and deep-sea high-voltage AC installation using a high-capacity tensioner system. These, and many more cutting-edge features, contribute to higher efficiency and precision of the installation and service execution, while offering maximum safety for both crew and the cables.
The jury’s reasoning for electing NKT Victoria as Ship of the Year 2017 is based on the fact that she is among the world’s most advanced cable laying vessels incorporating several novelties as DP3 system and unique onboard DC Grid. The vessel is also fitted with a 6-point mooring system to maneuver where most deep sea cable layer would give up.
Michael Hedegaard Lyng, President and CEO of NKT Cables says: “This cutting-edge cable-laying vessel will complete our project execution set-up and cements our position as a global, leading cable solutions provider.”
The vessel has been designed (SALT 306-design) by Salt Ship Design, the Norwegian company employing naval architects and marine engineers both in its Norwegian headquarters located in Stord and in its branch office in Gdynia, Poland as well. The majority of its team work in Poland.
The cable layer was ordered at Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik. The company has in recent years invested heavily in automation and robotisation of parts of the hull production, allowing the yard to backsource a larger part of the building process to Norway. However the partly outfitted hull of the abovementioned ship was constructed in Poland, at Gdynia-based Crist yard, a reliable subcontractor of Kleven and other Norwegian yards and the supplier of numerous hulls over the last few years.
– The innovative NKT Victoria is one-of-a-kind, not only within this particular area of the shipping industry, but also in the cable industry. With this vessel, we are now able to offer our customers complete cable solutions, from design and manufacture to installation and service – as one of a very few cable providers in the world – said Michael Lyng, President and CEO of NKT.
– This project is a great example of the strength of Norwegian ship design and ship building in tough international competition. Close cooperation between NKT, Salt Ship Design and Kleven has resulted in a vessel that is future-oriented, competitive and highly innovative – Ståle Rasmussen, CEO of Kleven emphasized.
– We are honored to see NKT Victoria being awarded the prize, and our ship designers have really enjoyed the great teamwork behind this successful vessel. Working closely with NKT – a global leading pioneer in the cable industry and Kleven – a first class shipbuilder, has resulted in a purpose made vessel with impressive operational features. Great collaboration – leads to great results – Arne Stenersen, CEO of Salt Ship Design added.
rel (NKT, Salt), GL
Below: news footage of the Ship of the Year 2017 ceremony at Nor-Shipping 2017
