Van Oord’s flexible fallpipe vessel, Nordnes, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by successfully installing an astounding 20 million tonnes of rock, establishing an unparalleled record in the subsea rock installation market. Since its inception in 2005, Nordnes has been at the forefront of seabed rock installation, safeguarding and stabilizing offshore energy infrastructure across global projects.
Captain Tim Raaphorst, leading the dedicated Nordnes crew, expressed his pride in this monumental achievement, stating, “We are very proud to be able to celebrate this massive milestone. A big thanks to the dedicated and professional Nordnes crew for making this happen!”
Nordnes is a pivotal member of Van Oord’s fleet of flexible fallpipe vessels, renowned for their exceptional efficiency in subsea rock installation. These vessels are equipped with a cutting-edge flexible fallpipe system and remote operating vehicles (ROV), ensuring precise and accurate rock placement.
David Schulberg, Contracts & Supply Chain Director at Subsea 7, extended his congratulations, emphasizing Nordnes’ substantial contributions to various Subsea 7 projects. He commended the vessel’s unwavering excellence in subsea rock installation.
Alf Roger Hellestø, Project Manager Power & Installation at Shell, lauded Van Oord and Nordnes for their remarkable accomplishment, highlighting the pivotal role played in the Ormen Lange Phase 3 (OLP3) Project. He underlined Van Oord’s exceptional safety standards, meticulous planning, and efficient execution as vital components contributing to the project’s success.
For over 35 years, Van Oord has led the market in subsea rock installation, offering indispensable services to the offshore energy industry. This includes pre- and post-lay rock installation on pipelines, cables, scour protection installation, seabed preparation, and ballasting services for offshore structures. The Nordnes is not the only record-holder in Van Oord’s fleet; earlier this year, the company’s flexible fallpipe vessel Stornes set a new record by installing rock at an astounding depth of 1,368 meters below sea level. These achievements solidify Van Oord’s position as the unrivaled market leader in subsea rock installation.
This milestone signifies a giant leap towards sustainable offshore energy infrastructure, demonstrating Van Oord’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the maritime industry.
