MacGregor, a part of Cargotec and a leader in sustainable maritime cargo and load handling, has secured a large order to provide three cranes for installation on a cutting-edge cable-laying vessel set to be delivered by the renowned shipbuilder VARD.
The contract has been recorded in Cargotec’s order intake for the first quarter of 2024, with the crane delivery anticipated for the third quarter of 2025. Under this contract, MacGregor will supply Prysmian, the Italian owner, with a 100-tonne active heave-compensated (AHC) crane, a 20-tonne offshore crane, and a 3-tonne deck crane for their third NB970 cable laying vessel from VARD.
Furthermore, MacGregor has been contracted to provide its OnWatch solution, inclusive of 24/7 technical service support globally. Tailored for advanced subsea operations, Prysmian’s 191-meter-long cable layer will be equipped to handle complex installation works, including simultaneous lay and burial with heavy-duty ploughs. With state-of-the-art DP3 positioning and seakeeping systems, the vessel, weighing in at 19,000 tonnes, will rank among the top cable-loading capacity ships available in the market.
“MacGregor has been a reliable supplier for VARD on multiple projects over many years. This is a significant order for MacGregor’s offshore handling business, and we are pleased to supply VARD with yet another package of our high-performance cranes. The market continues to respond well to our unique and modern designs, which combine resilience in service and lightweight round-shaped jibs,” stated Pasi Lehtonen, senior vice president, of Offshore Solutions.
Moreover, MacGregor’s wide range of well-proven AHC cranes, including its subsea cranes, offer precise lifting capabilities across various conditions, even in extreme environments ranging from temperatures of plus to minus 40°C. These cranes are available with either hydraulic or electric winch drives.
The construction’s first stage for the new vessel is set to commence at Vard Shipyards Romania – Tulcea, followed by finalization in Norway, with handover to the owner anticipated by early 2027.
