Van Oord has deployed its new trencher, the Dig-It, for the first time, at the Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind project in the German sector of the North Sea.

Van Oord’s new trencher has expanded the company’s cable laying and burial capabilities.

The Dig-It, also known as the Q Trencher 1600, is a tracked remotely operated vehicle (TROV) that can be operated in two different modes, jetting and chain cutting, the company explained.

Van Oord deployed the Dig-It under the contract with Ørsted to transport, install and bury infield cables for the Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm.

Van Oord’s cable laying vessel Nexus started the installation of the infield cables, followed by burying of the cables by Dig-It, mobilized from the offshore supply vessel Rem Saltire.

The company plans to complete the cable installation works in July 2018.

Once completed in 2019, the offshore wind farm will deliver green energy to 460,000 households.