NKT contracts UK offshore service provider for the world’s most powerful subsea trencher

NKT has selected Helix Robotics Solutions Limited as the partner for operating the company’s new T3600 subsea trencher, which will be operational in 2027. With the agreement, NKT continues the close collaboration with Helix and their market-leading supply of offshore trenching services.

As previously announced, NKT is investing in NKT T3600, the world’s most powerful subsea trencher, as a natural progression of the company’s investments in manufacturing and installation capabilities. Now, NKT has entered a long-term cooperation and frame agreement with UK-based Helix Robotics Solutions Limited, covering the offshore operation, project engineering, and maintenance of the T3600 subsea trencher, which will be mobilised to a Helix-provided support vessel. The agreement includes a commitment of 800 days of vessel operations during the initial four years of the agreement, with options to extend.

- We are looking forward to continuing the long-term collaboration with Helix, utilising their trenching support vessel and expertise to execute on projects requiring the new trencher. This agreement complements our market-leading trenching technology, which will ensure reliable deep-burial protection of power cables in even the most challenging soil conditions. With this collaboration, we continue to support the local economy by engaging UK companies in the design, development, operation, and maintenance of the trencher, says Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President and Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona at NKT.

NKT and Helix will utilise the Port of Blyth in England as a mobilisation, storage, and maintenance base for the subsea trencher, due to its strategic location for serving the North Sea. The trenching support vessel from Helix will also be mobilised with the T1200 Jet Trencher, two work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and a full survey spread and personnel to fully support NKTs offshore cable burial and construction activities.

This commitment with Helix further enhances NKT’s support of the UK industry and follows the recent contract award to OSBIT Ltd, a UK-based original equipment supplier responsible for designing and constructing the trencher, as well as the Launch & Recovery System.

With the new subsea trencher, NKT continues to enhance the protection of power cable infrastructure, which is critical to ensuring the security of supply and the transition to renewable energy.

Key facts: The NKT T3600 subsea trencher

• Power: 3,600 hp
• Capability: burial depths of up to 5.5 m below the seabed
• Functionality: Equipped with both a jetting and cutting function, allowing it to operate in a wide range of soil conditions
• Key suppliers:
  • Helix Robotics Solutions Limited., trencher operation and maintenance
  • OSBIT Ltd., trencher and L&R system design, construction, and commissioning
• Timeline: The trencher is expected to be commercially operational by 2027

About NKT
NKT connects a greener world with high-quality power cable technology and takes centre stage as the world moves towards green energy. NKT designs, manufactures and installs low-, medium- and high-voltage power cable solutions enabling sustainable energy transmission. Since 1891, NKT has innovated the power cable technology building the infrastructure for the first light bulbs to the megawatts created by renewable energy today. NKT is headquartered in Denmark and employs 6,000 people. NKT is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and realised a revenue of EUR 3.3 billion in 2024. NKT - We connect a greener world. www.NKT.com.

Contact
Christoffer Hellmann, Lead Communications Advisor
+45 2529 1784 / Christoffer.hellmann@nkt.com