The keel-laying ceremony for the next-generation fibre-optic cable-laying vessel, Ulstein Verft's Yard number 328, was held at the CRIST shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, on 17 September 2026. The vessel, which will be delivered to OMS Group as CS Resilience, is the first of two advanced vessels for the Malaysia-based customer.
Keel-laying can be described as the point at which the assembly of a hull structure has commenced, comprising at least 50 tonnes or one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material.
The keel laying marks the moment when the vessel begins to take shape, becoming more than drawings and steel. It is an important milestone, and we are pleased with the progress of the construction journey during our visit to Gdynia, Poland.
The hull will later be transferred to Ulstein Verft in Norway for the final completion. Ulstein Verft is responsible for the overall project management, including system integration, construction follow-up, outfitting, commissioning and delivery. This includes the integration of the complete hybrid power and automation system package by Ulstein Power & Control.
The newbuild is the first of two, both scheduled to enter service in 2028. They have been purpose-designed not only to deliver superior installation capabilities but also to reduce carbon emissions. The vessels will feature cutting-edge engineering and operational efficiencies, ensuring the best possible deployment of subsea networks with the lowest environmental impact on the market.
The vessel is an ULSTEIN SX252 design, developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS for efficient installation and maintenance of subsea telecommunications cables. Once completed, the vessel will be 130 metres long and capable of carrying up to 6,500 tonnes of cable. The vessel is being developed to support the growing demand for subsea fibre-optic infrastructure, which forms the backbone of global digital connectivity. The vessels feature two large cable tanks, two spare-cable tanks, and a hangar that encloses the cable deck. On top of the hangar, there is a large open deck for ROVs and containers. The vessel is also equipped with a 50-tonne A-frame with a towing winch for ploughing. The ULSTEIN® X-BOW® hull feature reduces motion, reducing wear on cables and cable equipment and enhancing safety and operational capability even in rough weather and high waves.
With dedicated capabilities for cable installation and maintenance, CS Resilience will contribute to the expansion and resilience of telecommunications networks worldwide.
About OMS
OMS Group is a global, neutral and integrated digital infrastructure service provider. OMS Group has two key divisions, OMS Telco and LitUp Network, enabling the Group to provide sustainable, end-to-end solutions across the digital infrastructure value chain.
About Ulstein
Ulstein is an internationally renowned provider of ship design, shipbuilding and system solutions for ships. For more than 100 years, we have developed future-oriented products and services for the maritime industry, and our vision is to create tomorrow’s solutions for sustainable marine operations.
Representatives from OMS, Ulstein, CRIST and project partners gathered for the keel-laying ceremony of Yno 328.
Construction of the first of two advanced fibre-optic cable-laying vessels for OMS Group, the CS Resilience, officially began with a steel-cutting ceremony on 7 July 2026. The hulls are being built by CRIST, Poland, and will be completed, outfitted and commissioned at Ulstein Verft, Norway.
Ulstein Power & Control has signed a contract to deliver complete hybrid power and automation systems for two cable-laying vessels to be built for OMS Group at Ulstein Verft. “This is an important contract for us and confirms our position as a leading supplier of systems for complex maritime operations,” says Peter Pilskog, Managing Director of Ulstein Power & Control.
OMS Group, a leading provider of subsea digital infrastructure, has signed contracts with Ulstein, a world-renowned designer and builder of advanced offshore vessels, for the design and construction of two cable-laying vessels.
