Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)
Discover cutting-edge solutions from 10 leading global suppliers
Omega Subsea has secured a new five-year agreement with NKT for its newbuild cable-laying vessel Eleonora, following a five-year contract announced last June for NKT Victoria.
Mobilisation activities are currently underway at shipyards in Ulsteinvik and Brattvåg, marking a significant milestone in Omega Subsea’s continued expansion into the offshore cable installation and marine infrastructure market. Operations on NKT Victoria are scheduled to commence before year-end, while mobilisation of ROV systems on NKT Eleonora is expected in January.
“NKT is one of the leading players in the cable installation industry, and being selected to support two of their modern cable-laying vessels is a strong vote of confidence. We are expanding both our equipment base and organisation to support long-term operations and multiple projects simultaneously,” said Trond Berge, CEO of Omega Subsea.
“The growing demand for high-voltage power cable installations requires strong and reliable partnerships. Our cable-laying vessels represent some of the most advanced offshore installation capabilities in the industry, and Omega Subsea is a trusted partner in helping us deliver safe and efficient operations. We are pleased to continue our collaboration on both NKT Victoria and NKT Eleonora with the current mobilisation,” added Anders Boklund, Head of Vessel Operations at NKT.
The agreements form part of a wider equipment investment programme, with Omega Subsea’s total ROV fleet set to exceed 30 systems by mid-2028. Of the eight new Kystdesign ROV systems scheduled for delivery in 2026, four will be deployed on NKT projects, with new ROV systems mobilising on both vessels this autumn. On board NKT Victoria, Omega Subsea will also supply two Ulmatec Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS), which will be installed in the vessel’s hangar and configured to support operations with two new ROVs.
“Cable installation is a market characterised by long-term demand and significant growth potential. We will continue to be a broad subsea service provider, while strengthening our position in areas where we see sustained activity and long-term opportunities,” commented Berge.
The contract involves two modern cable-laying vessels. NKT Eleonora, designed by Salt Ship Design and being built and outfitted by VARD on behalf of NKT, has the capacity to carry more than 23,000 tonnes of cable. It is expected to enter service in 2027 to support high-voltage power cable projects across Europe. NKT Victoria, which has been in operation since 2017 and was purpose-built for offshore high-voltage cable installation, can carry up to 11,000 tonnes of cable following recent upgrades that enhanced its positioning capabilities and installation flexibility.
To support the expansion, Omega Subsea expects to recruit between six and twelve new employees for offshore and onshore positions, while expanding warehouse and logistics capacity at its Hilleren facility.
“We are currently experiencing a period of significant growth. As we take on greater responsibility within our projects, it is essential that we have the right people, equipment and infrastructure in place. The NKT agreements are a good example of how long-term partnerships enable us to invest confidently and build for future growth,” said Berge.
