Nexans marks official handover of cable-laying vessel CLV Nexans Electra
Cable-laying vessel
18 May 2026
2 min
CLV Nexans Electra
  • CLV Nexans Electra officially named in Ulstein, Norway, on 28 April 2026
  • Flag change and operational handover completed on 18 May 2026
  • Next-generation vessel strengthens Nexansโ€™ EPCI capabilities in offshore wind and interconnectors
  • A major milestone in Nexansโ€™ long-term investment in electrifying the future.

Nexans, global pure player in sustainable electrification, today announced the official handover of its newest cableโ€‘laying vessel, CLV Nexans Electra. The milestone marks a significant step in the Groupโ€™s strategic expansion of its subsea installation capabilities.

The naming ceremony took place on 28 April 2026 at Ulstein Verft in Norway, bringing together Nexans representatives, partners, and shipbuilding teams who have contributed to the vesselโ€™s development. The formal change of flag and operational handover was completed on 18 May 2026, after which the vessel entered its final commissioning phase ahead of deployment on upcoming projects.

Purposeโ€‘built to meet the accelerating global demand for offshore wind connections and highโ€‘voltage interconnector systems, Nexans Electra represents the latest generation of cableโ€‘laying technology and a significant step forward in Nexansโ€™ ability to deliver complex EPCI subsea projects worldwide.

CLV Nexans Electra three godmothers during the naming ceremony

Reflecting Nexansโ€™ focus on execution excellence, the naming ceremony also marked a deliberate departure from tradition. Rather than appointing a single godmother, Nexans named three godmothers for Nexans Electra, symbolizing the end to end delivery chain that underpins its EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation) projects.

Monica Kollegรฅrd, representing Manufacturing; Fatima Ezzahra El Gout, representing Technical expertise; and Jamila Samri, representing Installation and Project Execution, together embody the collective responsibility required to deliver complex subsea projects safely, reliably, and on time.

A new benchmark in subsea cable installation

Designed as an evolution of the CLV Nexans Aurora, Nexans Electra expands capacity, efficiency, and versatility to address the next wave of largeโ€‘scale electrification projects. The vessel features:

  • Three turntables with a total cable capacity of 13,500 tons
  • Capability to bundleโ€‘lay up to four cables simultaneously
  • Advanced subsea tooling, including jetting and burial systems
  • Hybrid power system with the ability to operate on biodiesel blends, significantly reducing emissions while maintaining performance.

At 149.9 meters long and 31 meters wide, Nexans Electra combines deepโ€‘water capability with nearโ€‘shore agility, making it ideally suited for both offshore wind farms and longโ€‘distance interconnector projects.

With enhanced redundancy, DP3 positioning, and a working environment designed for safety and efficiency, the vessel is engineered to operate reliably in some of the worldโ€™s most challenging marine environments.

Strengthening Nexansโ€™ worldโ€‘class installation fleet

With the addition of Nexans Electra, Nexans continues to build one of the most advanced subsea installation fleets in the industry, operating alongside the CLV Nexans Aurora and the CLV Nexans Skagerrak.

Pascal Radue at Nexans Electra naming ceremony

Execution is where subsea projects are won or lost, and our cable laying fleet is critical to success. The naming and handover of Nexans Electra mark a defining moment in our longโ€‘term investment strategy. This vessel expands our capacity to deliver the most complex subsea projects safely, efficiently, and sustainably, exactly what our customers need as the energy transition accelerates.

Pascal Radue

Senior Executive Vice President PWR-Transmission, Nexans

Built at Ulstein Verft, Nexans Electra reflects close collaboration between Nexans, Norwegian shipbuilding expertise, and a global network of technology partners.

The delivery of Nexans Electra marks an important milestone for Ulstein Verft. Together with Nexans Aurora, delivered in 2021, this project demonstrates our long-standing capability to deliver complex, tailor-made vessels to the international cable-laying market, in close collaboration with Nexans, an experienced and highly competent shipowner.

Gunvor Ulstein

CEO, Ulstein Group

From naming to deployment

Following the naming ceremony in Ulstein on 28 April, the vessel has undergone final preparations ahead of the official flag change and operational takeover on 18 May 2026. Nexans Electra will now be mobilized for its first assignments in offshore wind and powerโ€‘exchange projects, supporting critical infrastructure in Europe and beyond.

The name โ€œElectraโ€ draws inspiration from Greek mythology, symbolizing brightness and power, a direct reflection of Nexansโ€™ purpose to Electrify the Future and its commitment to enabling a more connected, resilient, and lowโ€‘carbon energy system. The name was selected through a company wide employee naming contest, further highlighting the engagement and pride of Nexans teams in this new vessel.

Nexans Electra naming ceremony, speeches
Nexans Electra naming ceremony, bottle's breaking
Nexans Electra naming ceremony

Fatima Ezzahra El Gout, Jamila Samri, Monica Kollegรฅrd and Pascal Radue

Nexans Electra god mothers signing

Jamila Samri, Monica Kollegรฅrd and Fatima Ezzahra El Gout

CLV Nexans Electra see trial