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Nexans has confirmed that it is to supply fireproofed cabling to Fincantieri, one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups.
Both companies have worked in close co-operation with each other in order to devise a new generation of high-tech, fire-resistant Safe Return to Port (SRtP) cables based on its state-of-the-art nanotechnology.
The new approach will be used in the construction of four new Viking Ocean Cruises ships, with a contract between the two firms estimated to be worth around €12 million (£9.47 million).
Around 4,000 km of power and data cables will be installed in all four vessels, which each have around 473 cabins and a gross tonnage 48,000 tons.
The concept of SRtPs was introduced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) back in 2010, as part of a bid to encourage safer engineering designs.
Cabling plays a central role in ensuring SRtP as it carries vital power, as well as control and data services. There are plenty of requirements that on-board cables need to meet. Not only do they have to be fire-resistant, but they also have to be able to withstand both physical and thermal shocks that can be caused by water jets spraying onto hot cables.
The new SRtP cable design from Nexans is based on the company's nanotechnology, which when exposed to fire, changes the insulation from flexible plastic coverings to a tough insulating ceramic layer, helping to ensure circuit integrity under voltages up to 1kV.
"Fincantieri is a major player in the cruise ship market. So the successful development of the SRtP cables and securing this order for the Viking Ocean Cruises ships is a very significant achievement for Nexans. It demonstrates our strong technical expertise in the shipping industry as well as our capability to collaborate with ship builders to design and engineer innovative cable solutions," says Yannick Goutille, Nexans Ship cable product manager.
