Freja awarded best Cable Laying Vessel of the year
The advanced cable laying vessel Freja, designed and built by VARD for Denmark’s subsea specialist NCT Offshore, has been awarded Best Cable Layer 2024 by Baird Maritime. The award recognizes Freja’s state-of-the-art design, sustainable solutions, and operational excellence in supporting offshore renewable energy.
11. September 2025
A vessel made for the future
Freja is based on the VARD 9 01 design, has been specially designed and equipped for subsea cable laying operations. It features excellent sea-keeping capabilities, superior station-keeping performance, and low fuel consumption, making it an ideal choice for efficient and sustainable operations.
The vessel is equipped with a complete SeaQ power and control package, encompassing batteries, switchboards, and shore connection, allowing for a reduction in fuel consumption and increased operability. Additionally, the vessel is fitted with two main cable tanks, a T-ROV hangar, a walk-to-work system, and is prepared for a large A-frame and single-cabin accommodation for 60 persons. Vard Interiors has delivered sustainable HVAC-R and piping systems. Seaonics has delivered a 22m Electrically Controlled Motion Compensated(ECMC) Gangway.
The hull of the vessel was constructed at Vard Shipyards Romania – Tulcea. The cable layer was outfitted, commissioned and delivered from Vard Langsten in Norway.
Why Freja stood out
Baird Maritime highlighted the following:
- Tailored design for the offshore wind and renewables market
- Energy-efficient propulsion systems
- Advanced mission equipment ensuring flexibility and safety
- Successful delivery ahead of schedule, less than two years after contract signing
Strengthening VARD’s position
The award demonstrates VARD’s ability to deliver complex, sustainable, and future-ready vessels that support the global energy transition. Freja will play a key role in offshore wind projects, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure at sea.
Being recognized as Best Cable Layer of the Year is not only an honor for the vessel and her owner NCT Offshore, but also a strong testament to the competence, innovation, and teamwork across VARD’s global organization.
VARD delivered ahead of schedule, with a vessel tailored for safe, efficient, and sustainable cable-laying operations. This vessel, along with our purpose-built and in-house designed cable lay equipment and TROV109 jet trencher, and our highly skilled and experienced crew, strengthens our ability to support the rapid expansion of offshore renewables. I am immensely proud of this achievement, and this vessel, equipment, and crew has the potential to set new benchmarks and standards, and be the best array cable installation vessel in the world.
Alexander Cortes, Chief Commercial Officer NCT Offshore.
State-of-the-art
Freja is designed and built specifically for the renewable energy market, serving as a state-of-the-art cable layer for inter-array cables, says Roy Arne Stavik, Senior Vice President Sales in VARD.
Value for client
Delivered on time
Completed ahead of schedule in less than two years, providing NCT Offshore with a reliable asset ready to meet market demand.
Tailor-made
Freja is purpose-built for subsea cable installation, ensuring safe, efficient, and future-proof operations in offshore wind projects.
Operational efficiency
With hybrid propulsion, batteries, and shore power, the vessel reduces emissions and fuel costs while maintaining top performance.
Technical information
- Length of approximately 95 meters and a beam of about 21,5 meters.
- Cable installation equipment including cable carousels for taking a total of 4 500 tons of cables.
- State-of-the-art DP2 positioning and seakeeping systems.
- Bollard pull in excess of 60 tons.
- Maximum transit speed will exceed 14 knots.
- Hybrid package.
- Single cabins for 60 pax.
