Offshore Construction Advances: New Cable-Laying Vessel Takes Shape in Türkiye as North Sea Topside Sets Sail

## Offshore Construction Advances: New Cable-Laying Vessel Takes Shape in Türkiye as North Sea Topside Sets Sail The offshore energy sector is marking two notable construction and installation milestones this week, underscoring continued investment in both renewable energy infrastructure and traditional oil and gas development. ### Ultra-Large Cable-Laying Vessel Begins Construction at Tersan Shipyard Türkiye's Tersan Shipyard has commenced construction of an ultra-large cable-laying vessel (CLV) for a South Korean owner, according to Offshore Energy. The project marks a significant order for the Turkish yard and reflects growing global demand for specialised vessels capable of deploying subsea power cables at scale. Ultra-large CLVs are increasingly critical assets in the offshore wind and interconnector markets, where longer cable routes and heavier armoured cables demand vessels with greater deck space, cable carousel capacity, and dynamic positioning capability. The entry of this newbuild into construction signals continued confidence in the offshore energy transition pipeline, particularly as governments across Asia and Europe accelerate subsea grid expansion programmes. Tersan Shipyard, based in Yalova on the Sea of Marmara, has established a reputation for delivering complex offshore and specialised vessels, and this contract further consolidates its position in the high-value offshore construction segment. ### Aker BP Platform Topside Departs for Norwegian Continental Shelf In the North Sea, Norwegian operator Aker BP has confirmed the sail-away of an offshore platform topside destined for a development project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), Offshore Energy reports. The departure represents a key milestone in the project's execution schedule, moving the development from fabrication into the installation phase. Platform topside sail-aways are logistically complex operations, typically involving heavy-lift vessels or semi-submersible transport barges and requiring precise weather windows and marine coordination. Successful departure signals that the project remains on track for offshore installation and, ultimately, first production. Aker BP has been one of the more active operators on the NCS in recent years, pursuing a portfolio of development projects aimed at sustaining Norwegian continental shelf output. The NCS continues to be a cornerstone of European energy supply, making infrastructure milestones such as this of broader strategic significance to regional energy security. ### Broader Context Taken together, these developments reflect the dual-track nature of today's offshore industry — simultaneously advancing hydrocarbon production infrastructure while building out the specialised vessel fleet needed to support the energy transition. Demand for cable-laying vessels in particular is forecast to remain robust through the late 2020s as offshore wind capacity targets drive a surge in subsea cable installation activity worldwide.