Official UK procurement notice
Cable Management System- Shore to Ship Power, Oban Base
Authority: Northern Lighthouse Board (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionHistorically, vessels at Oban Base have relied solely on onboard diesel generators while berthed, leading to continued fuel use and associated emissions. There has been no shore power provision in place.
The procurement of a cable management system is a strategic requirement, aligned with NLB’s long-term sustainability objectives and operational shift toward cleaner technologies. It is driven by the introduction of NLV Pole Star, a new hybrid-powered vessel constructed by Gondán Shipbuilders in Spain. Pole Star features state-of-the-art hybrid systems designed to significantly reduce environmental impact. To fully realise its capabilities, the vessel requires a compatible shore power connection when alongside.
At this stage, we expect the contract scope to cover the supply, delivery, installation support, commissioning, and maintenance of a shore-to-ship cable management system at Oban Base, however this is to be confirmed. This includes all associated equipment, software (if applicable), training for NLB and vessel crews, and ongoing support services.
We are inviting expressions of interest from suppliers who can provide mobile cable management systems that meet the key operational, technical, and environmental requirements of the Shore to Ship Project at Oban Base. The selected solution should adhere to the following essential project constraints:
Flexibility and Mobility: The system must be fully mobile, allowing for easy deployment and removal, with minimal impact on the base's operations when not in use.
Compatibility with Tidal Movements: The solution must be capable of operating effectively across the full tidal range at Oban Base, with the ability to accommodate fluctuations in water level while maintaining safe and stable cable connections.
Safety and Compliance: The system must comply with relevant safety standards, including IEC PAS 80005-3, ensuring safe operation during cable connection and disconnection processes. The design should incorporate features that prevent damage to cables and ensure the integrity of the connection under dynamic marine conditions.
Minimal Infrastructure Impact: The solution should require minimal or no modifications to existing infrastructure at Oban Base, particularly avoiding the need for significant deck strengthening or large-scale civil works.
Environmental Suitability: The system must be able to withstand harsh marine environments, with corrosion-resistant materials and the ability to operate effectively in a range of weather and sea conditions.
Operational Simplicity: The system should be user-friendly, requiring minimal training for both shore and ship personnel. It should also involve straightforward maintenance procedures to ensure long-term reliability and ease of operation.
We invite suppliers who can meet these criteria to engage with us. Please contact us to express your interest and to discuss how your solution can support the successful delivery of this important project.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
nlb.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Edinbu… ↗
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
CPV: Marine equipment · Marine installations · Marine-base support services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Works
- Notice status
- Past planning notice
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 12 Sept 2025, 11:25 BST
- Last source update
- 12 Sept 2025, 11:25 BST
- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-056101- Latest notice
- Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Not published
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-059936Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
12 Sept 2025 → 1 Dec 2025 · 3 dates- Planning notice published12 Sept 2025, 11:25 BST
- Market engagement390 days ago30 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
If you can support this project with viable solutions, or have expertise in developing or enhancing mobile cable management technology that meets the outlined operational and technical requirements, we invite you to get in touch. Your feedback, technical insights, and proposals are valuable as we explore potential solutions and move towards the procurement phase.
- Contract starts329 days ago1 Dec 2025
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Preliminary market engagement notice published12 Sept 2025, 11:25 BSTUK2
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender