Power and telecoms cable maker Nexans is investing in a newbuild cable laying vessel to support a record project backlog and future demand from the booming offshore wind and interconnector markets.

Although a shipyard contract award has yet to be announced, the Paris-headquartered group anticipates delivery in 2026. The addition to the current two-ship fleet will represent an advance on the capabilities offered by the company’s latest vessel, the 150m Nexans Aurora, completed by Ulstein Verft of Norway and introduced into service during 2021.