Thanks to their large loading capacity, the vessel takes longer cables on board in a single piece and bridges longer distances with as few subsea cable connections as possible.
The project comprises partial removal of ageing subsea power cables between Lødingen and Barøya, and the installation of four new 170kV submarine cables bundled with fibre optic lines
The SMART Cable sensor system is poised to transform global tsunami and earthquake early warning, protect critical telecommunications infrastructure, and supply essential ocean data.
In 2026, two funding calls worth €60 million will support cable repair modules, alongside a separate €20 million call for SMART cable system equipment.
Concern is growing in Europe at what officials see as an increase in hybrid threats from Russia since it launched its war in Ukraine, which Moscow denies.
