Introducing the First Jones Act-Compliant Cable Lay Barge for Offshore Projects
France’s Nexans has joined forces with US-based Crowley Wind Services to revolutionize the offshore industry with the development and operation of the first Jones Act-compliant cable lay barge. Specifically designed for offshore wind, telecom, and subsea industrial cabling, this innovative 300-foot barge is set to transform how subsea projects are executed in US waters.
Constructed in Louisiana and rigorously tested in the Gulf of Mexico to meet Nexans’ exacting standards, this state-of-the-art barge is now operational with an American crew. Currently deployed on Equinor’s Empire Wind project off the coast of New York, the barge can be easily reconfigured for various cable laying or repair tasks across a broad range of subsea applications.
Equipped with a 3,500-ton capacity carousel and a suite of burial tools, including a vertical injector, jet sled, and jetting ROV, the barge is tailor-made for challenging nearshore and shallow water assignments. Nexans has also designed the vessel with the potential for upgrades to 7,000 tons, incorporating dual carousels for bundled cable deployment.
This groundbreaking project is part of Nexans’ ongoing commitment to investing in the US offshore market, which includes a cutting-edge subsea cable manufacturing facility in South Carolina. The cable lay barge complements Nexans’ existing fleet of three dedicated cable laying vessels, solidifying their position as a leader in the industry.
Expressing excitement about the partnership, Pascal Radue, executive vice president of Nexans’ PWR-transmission business, stated, “We are pleased to be working with Crowley on developing the capability to lay nearshore subsea cable in the US.”
Graham Tyson, vice president of operations at Crowley Wind Services, highlighted the significance of the barge in providing a seamless supply chain solution for offshore energy, telecommunications, and other sectors. “Coupled with our US maritime fleet and mariners, providing feedering services and other logistics and project management capabilities, we could not be better equipped to serve the needs of industries seeking subsea cable solutions,” added Tyson.