Aberdeen Joint Branch Event: "Advancements in the study of load distribution in cable carousels"

Please see below for information on your next Aberden Joint Branch Event:

"Advancements in the study of load distribution in cable carousels" 

An event by the IMarEST & RINA Aberdeen Maritime Joint Branch

6pm – 8pm GMT28

January 2026

Aberdeen

The Ashvale

Location: Ashvale Restaurant, 42-48 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6PY

Speaker: Dr Marius Popa FRINA CEng, Senior Prinicpal Engineer, DNV UK

About the Event:

Submarine cable networks—used for both telecommunications and power transmission—have grown substantially in scale and strategic importance in recent years. As a result, offshore cable transport carousels are becoming larger, more numerous, and increasingly critical components aboard cable-laying and repair vessels. These carousels play a central role in marine operations, particularly in the efficient and secure transport and handling of cables.

A primary engineering challenge in carousel design lies in accurately distributing inertia-induced loads across key structural components: the base platform, central core, outer wall (or basket), and any intermediate partitions. This study presents a qualitative assessment of load variation within carousel structures and introduces a simplified analytical approach to support early-stage design and engineering evaluations. While not exhaustive, the proposed method offers a practical foundation for optimizing structural performance and guiding more detailed numerical analyses.

About the Speaker:

Dr Marius Popa FRINA CEng, Senior Prinicpal Engineer, DNV UK

Dr. Marius Popa is a Senior Principal Engineer with DNV UK, bringing nearly three decades of experience in maritime and offshore engineering. Since joining DNV and formerly GL, Dr. Popa has specialized in approval and verification processes, contributing extensively to the safety and reliability of offshore operations.

Since 2017, he has been actively involved in the class approval of temporary mobilization of offshore equipment, a critical area for ensuring compliance and operational integrity in dynamic offshore environments.

From 2015 to 2018, he led the DNV Joint Industry Project (JIP) “Development of Codes for Offshore Cable and Pipe Laying Equipment” as Project Manager. This collaborative effort laid the foundation for DNV-RP-0232: Pipe and Cable Laying, a recommended practice that continues to support the success and safety of pipe and cable lay operations across the industry.

ALL are welcome to attend and can use this link: IMarEST | Advancements in the study of load distribution in cable carousels to register for the event.