Enshore Announces Construction of Specialist Shallow Draft Cable Lay Barge Enshore Advantage

The vessel is being built at Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, with construction work now well underway. Delivery is presently scheduled for Summer 2026, ahead of mobilisation for its first project supporting Nexans in the Wadden Sea in 2027.

Enshore Advantage has been developed to meet the specific challenges of shallow and environmentally sensitive waters. Built with light construction and a large, displaced volume, the barge offers extremely shallow draft capability, enabling it to approach very close to shore and, where required, safely ground out to support nearshore cable installation activities.

The vessel features an integrated cable lay spread suitable for bundled HVDC cable installations, including 4-cable HVDC bundles with metallic return. A dedicated mooring system and spud arrangement provide secure positioning during operations, while an optional onboard accommodation module can be deployed to reduce crew transfers and enhance operational efficiency offshore.

The barge will first be deployed on works forming part of Germany’s offshore grid expansion programme. Under Enshore’s framework agreement with Nexans, the company will install the Wadden Sea sections of submarine cable systems connecting offshore wind developments to the mainland. These grid connection systems,  commissioned and to be carried out in future by the German transmission system operator TenneT Germany, are designed to transmit up to 2 GW of renewable energy per connection from the German North Sea.

Pierre Boyde, Enshore Subsea CEO, said: “The development of Enshore Advantage reflects our long-term commitment to shallow water cable installation. It strengthens our ability to support key clients such as Nexans on complex nearshore projects, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas like the Wadden Sea, where precision and reliability are essential.”

While its inaugural deployment will support these strategic projects, Enshore Advantage has been developed as a core addition to Enshore’s fleet. The vessel further strengthens the company’s position as a specialist in shallow water cable lay and expands its capacity to support future nearshore and inshore projects globally.