Project Snapshot

The Biscay Gulf interconnection is the first submarine HVDC link between France and Spain — a €2.85 billion Project of Common Interest at European level. It comprises two 1,000 MW HVDC links (total 2 GW) across approximately 400 km of submarine and underground cable, with four landfall sites on the French and Spanish coasts. NKT was awarded the Link 1 EPCI contract (value exceeding €600 million), with cable production based in Karlskrona and offshore installation scheduled for 2026–2027. INELFE is recruiting four Offshore Client Representatives to provide independent oversight across the marine installation campaign — a role with direct authority to stop work and a critical position in ensuring the integrity of one of Europe's most significant grid infrastructure projects.

Description

Project Scope:

The assignment covers the full marine installation phase of Link 1 of the Biscay Gulf interconnection, from pre-mobilisation at NKT's Karlskrona facility through to close-out of offshore operations. The OCR will be embedded with NKT's team aboard the Cable Laying Vessel (CLV), acting as the client's independent representative on site throughout the campaign.

Scope of the marine installation campaign includes:

•     Cable load-out onto CLV at Karlskrona, Sweden

•     Bundle cable laying across the ~275 km submarine route in the Bay of Biscay

•     Pull-in operations at the four landfall sites (French and Spanish coasts)

•     Matressing at in-service crossings

•     Cable surveys — cable tracking, MBES, OTDR, TDR, and visual inspection

•     Nearshore and offshore installation activities across the full route

•     Campaign close-out including operational experience feedback and performance reporting

The OCR will carry direct authority to stop work in the event of HSE non-compliance or performance deviations, and will maintain daily communication with the client through structured reporting and conference calls.

Role overview

Purpose

To represent the client independently on site throughout the Link 1 marine installation campaign — from mobilisation in Karlskrona through offshore close-out — ensuring all NKT operations are executed safely, on schedule, and in full compliance with contractual, technical, and regulatory requirements.

Reporting line & team context

You will report directly to the client project team and act as the primary interface between the client and NKT on site. You will be embedded within the contractor's operations team aboard the CLV, maintaining daily structured communication with the client. INELFE is appointing four OCRs for this campaign; you will operate within this team while maintaining independent oversight within your assigned scope.

Success looks like

•     All installation operations executed in line with client specifications, contract, and applicable marine regulations

•     Daily OCR Reports delivered on time, covering all control points and operational status

•     Vessel readiness and load-out fully verified at mobilisation in Karlskrona

•     Any HSE deviation, non-conformity, or performance issue identified, escalated, and resolved promptly

•     Close-out report completed with structured operational feedback and recommended improvements

Key responsibilities

Pre-mobilisation

•     Attend HSE briefings and all preparatory meetings prior to campaign start

•     Familiarise with CLV marine equipment, cable installation procedures, pull-in operations, and relevant burial tools

•     Review all relevant technical specifications and procedures

•     Propose and agree daily OCR Report format with the client

Mobilisation & offshore operations

•     Conduct full vessel check at mobilisation — verify equipment and load-out against project requirements

•     Monitor and control all offshore activities against client specifications, contract, procedures, and applicable legislation

•     Review Contractor Daily Progress Reports — ongoing activities, special facts, weather standby, and schedule status

•     Issue Daily OCR Report to the client, followed by daily conference call

•     Ensure NKT executes the agreed work scope safely, on time, and efficiently — escalate to client if required

•     Exercise stop-work authority if performance or HSE standards are not met, with documented justification

•     Manage incident response — ensure appropriate investigation and reporting in the event of any incident

•     Maintain effective operational communications between all parties throughout the campaign

Close-out

•     Produce Close-out Report of Operations including operational experience feedback, performance assessment, and recommended improvements

•     Review and finalise close-out documentation with the client