Pipes vary in length, so steel wire cages are manufactured on site by EUPEC to fit exactly to the length of each pipe. The steel cages help to reinforce the concrete coating. The cages are made after the steel pipes are de-iced, washed and blow dried, then measured (length, weight, outside diameter). The identification number (barcode) of each pipe is entered following this for quality control throughout the coating process and to track the pipes from the moment they enter the Kotka plant to the time EUPEC hands them over to the pipelay vessel.