HVR Engineering
Drive & Control

Nexus Cable Lay Vessel


The Challenge

Van Oord, the international marine contractor, had the intention of developing their first cable lay vessel that could be operated by one man, something unique at that time.

The Nexus was a completely new vessel that was developed and engineered from scratch. However, it already had the fundamental principles from the HAM 602, a side stone dumping and cable-laying vessel on which we already supported Van Oord to make this vessel into an efficient, cost-effect and safe cable layer.

Multibody Simulations Cable Lay Vessel: Van Oord Nexus

An efficient vessel

The Nexus is known for its unique deck layout with the anticipation of future market requirements, its efficiency and its way of safe cable-laying.

Our Approach

To find the optimal solution for the deck layout of the Nexus, simulation models were developed.

Additional functionality

Based on simulations the decision was made to modify multiple aspects in regard to the equipment and add extra functionality to the quadrant.

The quadrant was originally designed to guide the cables efficiently without any chance of nods in the cable. Alongside this, the quadrant was now also equipped with a heave compensation system that enables the Nexus to lay cables in higher sea states.”

Commissioning Support

After the build phase, we supported with the commissioning. Multiple deck layout options were considered to create the most optimal working conditions.

After the deck lay-out was chosen, we developed a test plan to commission the equipment. Tests were performed both in the factory and later on deck while being linked to the other equipment. The whole commissioning phase went very quick and without the need to replace any parts.

What the customer said

HVR Engineering worked together on the HAM 602 and the Nexus with Gerry Mensink. We spoke to Gerry about the project and the cooperation between the two organisations.

“HVR Engineering is a unique engineering agency. John Hessels - one of HVR Engineering's Senior Consultants - is probably one of a small group in the market who can simulate performance and control of hydraulic and electronic systems,” says Gerry.

“Alongside that, he knows how the programming of the system works. For the Nexus, we used the simulation details to program the system with his help. After the Nexus, we asked HVR Engineering to work on the Bravenes. It’s nice to cooperate with someone who has the same goal for a vessel.

“For the Nexus, our goal was to make the vessel an automatic controlled vessel that could be operated by one person. Eventually, it became an efficient vessel that fully controls the loading and laying of cables. The Nexus fulfilled all our expectations.”

Optimization by simulation

By the use of simulation models we could optimize the deck lay-out of the Nexus and with the solutions we developed together with Van Oord, they were able to create an optimal deck layout which is unique in the market.

More Simulation

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