World’s most powerful trencher to bury cables 18 feet under seabed

Denmark-based power-cable specialist NKT has developed the T3600, the world’s most powerful subsea trencher, delivering 3,600 hp and capable of burying cables up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) beneath the seabed. This remotely operated vehicle is designed to protect high-voltage export cables from physical threats such as anchors, fishing gear, and sabotage, which have become more significant with the growth of offshore wind farms and increased undersea traffic. The trencher is scheduled for commercial service in 2027 and will coincide with the launch of NKT’s new cable-lay vessel, Eleonora, built to manage the longer and heavier export cables required by giga-scale wind projects. The project anchors strongly in the UK maritime supply chain, with engineering firm OSBIT contracted to design and build the trencher and its launch-and-recovery system, supporting local employment and reducing operational risks. The T3600 represents a significant advancement in subsea trenching technology