The NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel, delivered from Kleven Verft in April this year, has been awarded the Ship of the Year 2017 prize at a ceremony at the NorShipping exhibition today. 

During a ceremony at the NorShipping exhibition in Lillestrøm, Norway today, Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry Ms. Monica Mæland presented the award, in the presence of HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

The prize was presented to the vessel owner President and CEO of NKT Michael Lyng, shipbuilder Kleven’s CEO Ståle Rasmussen, design company Salt Ship Design’s CEO Arne Stenersen and captain of the vessel, Svein Ole Sæter.

The jury has recognized NKT Victoria’s state-of-the-art capacities and innovations as a world leading cable-laying vessel. She represents the best competence within Norwegian ship design and shipbuilding, according to the jury.

“I am proud that NKT Victoria is awarded the Ship of the Year Prize. The innovative NKT Victoria is one-of-a-kind, not only within this particular area of the shipping industry, but also in the cable industry. With this vessel, we are now able to offer our customers complete cable solutions, from design and manufacture to installation and service – as one of a very few cable providers in the world”, said Michael Lyng, President and CEO of NKT.

“As proud shipbuilders, it is a wonderful recognition that NKT Victoria has been proclaimed Ship of the Year. This project is a great example of the strength of Norwegian ship design and ship building in tough international competition. Close cooperation between NKT, Salt Ship Design and Kleven has resulted in a vessel that is future-oriented, competitive and highly innovative,” said Ståle Rasmussen, CEO of Kleven.

“Building NKT Victoria, one of the world’s most advanced and fuel-efficient cable-laying vessel, has been a challenging first, but we are used to handling ‘firsts’ at Kleven. That is how you survive in this business – by having skilled and experienced employees who take on every challenge you give them,” Mr Rasmussen said.

 “We are honored to see NKT Victoria being awarded the prize, and our ship designers have really enjoyed the great teamwork behind this successful vessel. Working closely with NKT - a global leading pioneer in the cable industry and Kleven - a first class shipbuilder, has resulted in a purpose made vessel with impressive operational features. Great collaboration – leads to great results,” said Arne Stenersen, CEO of Salt Ship Design. 

Photo: From left: Ståle Rasmussen (CEO Kleven), Svein Ole Sæter (Master on NKT Victoria), Michael Lyng (President and CEO NKT), Arne Stenersen (CEO Salt Ship Design), HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Anniken Hauglie (Minister of Labour and Social Affairs) and Asle Strønen (Editor Skipsrevyen).