- Jan De Nul Group further invests in its offshore installation fleet.
- The Connector is one of the largest and most advanced subsea installation and construction vessels available in the world.
- The Connector strengthens the Jan De Nul fleet for the future delivery of challenging offshore energy production projects.
Jan De Nul Group has signed on 4 December 2020 an agreement for the purchase of the Offshore Construction and Cable-Lay Vessel Connector from Ocean Yield ASA. This marks a further investment in the offshore installation capacities of the Luxembourg based maritime contractor. The vessel will be officially transferred during the fourth quarter of 2020.
With a focus on delivering the next generation offshore energy projects, Jan De Nul Group invests strategically in its offshore installation fleet. With the acquisition of the cable-lay vessel Connector, Jan De Nul Group further specialises in this offshore energy market as part of a running investment programme following the order in 2019 of the new-build Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel Voltaire and Floating Crane Installation Vessel Les Alizés.
Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Division at Jan De Nul Group: “The Connector has a very good reputation in the sector and is known as one of the world’s top tier subsea installation and construction vessels. She’s capable of operating in ultra-deep water up to 3,000 metres deep. Through the market consolidation involving this new investment, we now own and operate the largest fleet of dedicated cable-lay vessels. The Connector will further strengthen the Jan De Nul fleet for the future of offshore energy production.”
Andreas Reklev, SVP Investments of Ocean Yield ASA: “The Connector was operating on a long-term bareboat charter until February 2017. In anticipation of a market recovery, Ocean Yield has for the past years traded the vessel in the short-term market. Through this position we have realized that in fact an industrial setup is required to operate the vessel efficiently in the cable-lay market whereby total solutions can be offered including dedicated engineering and operations teams. As such, we believe Jan De Nul will be well placed to efficiently operate the vessel which we see leaving in an excellent condition after having just completed its 10 year dry docking and class renewal surveys.”
