NSW - Fiber-Optic Submarine Cable Systems and Underwater Cables for the Offshore Industry

NSW is a leader in fiber-optic submarine communication cable systems and special cables for the offshore industry and other underwater and terrestrial applications. Its state-of-the-art cable products and solutions are used by many of the world's leading network operators and other companies requiring dynamic and static subsea cables. From its headquarters in Nordenham, Germany, and sales offices and representatives in the US, the UK, Malaysia and China, NSW serves the needs of customers throughout the world. NSW's products and services include fiber-optic submarine cables and hardware, low detection profile cables, turnkey submarine networks, submarine network repair and maintenance and offshore systems integration.

FIBER-OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLES AND HARDWARE

MINISUB™, NSW's flagship fiber-optic submarine communications cable, is a rugged, lightweight cable with unique features. MINISUB™ is available in lightweight, single-armored and double-armored versions. Fiber count and type are selected jointly with the customer to meet the requirements of the project at hand. MINISUB™'s design ensures reliable protection of the fibers in the cable's core against damage during cable handling and laying. It prevents hydrogen ingress thus ensuring optimal fiber performance over the life of the cable. In addition, MINISUB™'s high specific gravity, and thus optimal laying speed, facilitates "on-route" laying and its compact design and tight bending radius simplify cable logistics, handling and installation.

LOW DETECTION PROFILE CABLES

The key to the reduction of a cable's detectability is the reduction or elimination of its metallic components. NSW low detection profiles cables are far more secure than conventional cables since they are virtually unsusceptible to detection by standard optical, acoustic or electromagnetic searching methods. Surplus fiber length in the cable's loose buffer tube mechanically decouples the cable's optical fiber from the cable structure. Reinforced elements provide the cable with the required tensile strength and it possesses the specific gravity needed to ensure appropriate laying properties. The cable's structure is completely filled by means of flooding and filling compounds. Its outer jacket provides it with abrasion protection. No specialized methods are required to install NSW's low detection profile cables: modified laying machinery and standard cable burial plows can be employed and supply vessels or low draft barges provide a suitable installation platform. In addition, no specialized cable repair methods are needed and flexible repair joints suitable for burial are available.

Low detection profile NSW submarine cables guarantee the maximum level of security for transmission of sensitive information. Cost-effective methods of installation make these cables ideally suited for a wide range of defense applications.

TURNKEY SUBMARINE NETWORKS

NSW is not just a submarine cable and hardware manufacturer but acts as lead contractor for turnkey submarine cable systems for customers wishing to create undersea fiber-optic telecommunications networks. Its services include project assessment and planning, desktop studies and marine survey management as well as all aspects of the management of complete turnkey submarine cable system installation projects. NSW secures the required operational permits, lays or buries the cable in the seabed as needed, compiles the complete as-built project documentation package, supervises the testing and commissioning of the system and arranges for its provisional and final acceptance by the customer. The customer's personnel are trained to operate the system.

SUBMARINE NETWORK REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

NSW provides customers with submarine communications network repair and maintenance services to ensure optimal system function and availability. Its solutions are tailor-made to address the specific requirements of the individual subsea network. Together with the customer, NSW develops the cable depot logistics concept and repair and maintenance vessel strategy most appropriate for the network involved.

OFFSHORE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Fiber-optic submarine cable networks are used with increasing frequency in offshore applications. NSW provides integrated telecommunication solutions for offshore oil and energy systems tailor-made to meet the special requirements of each individual customer. NSW manufactures a wide variety of special cables for the offshore industry such as underwater ROV and plow umbilicals, high power umbilicals, underwater power and control umbilicals, electro-mechanical umbilicals and geophysical seismic umbilicals.

NSW is committed to extending the frontiers of underwater cable and submarine cable network technology. Its mission is to be the world's most innovative, competitive and customer-oriented supplier of the products and services it provides to its clients.