Client: Elettra Tlc spa
Project: Transpooling of fibre optic cable
Location: Catania, Sicily, Italy

The challenge

Marine company Elettra Tlc spa required engineering services, equipment and qualified personnel for transpooling operations in Catania, Sicily. Destined for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), 5,963m of fibre optic cable had to be transpooled from an Elettra storage tank to an installation reel at short notice.

The solution

Innovo’s team of experts project managed and engineered the complete operation over a period of 20-days which included: a transpooling procedure, a risk assessment, quayside and transpooling layout drawings, equipment mobilisation and demobilisation, and the supply of qualified personnel, for the assembly, installation and operation of the equipment.

The transpooling spread consisted of a modular hydraulic spooler unit for handling the installation reel, a roller-way to manage cable curvature, a linear cable engine to grip and tension the cable, and a level winder to control the cable’s fleet angle. Skilled technicians used their electrical and mechanical experience to ensure safe and efficient running of the equipment on-site.

The result

• Innovo’s well-established, reliable supply chain enabled it to cost-effectively source and deliver the transpooling spread, which was transported from the UK to Italy in seven days, despite the restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Transpooling operations were carried out on schedule, with the equipment and the procedure deemed perfect for the job

• Operations lasted six days, from truck offload to reload.