On January 23, China Merchants Industry, together with China Merchants Heavy Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., signed a construction contract with Greek submarine cable contractor Asso Subsea for a large shallow-water cable-laying vessel.
It is reported that the cable-laying vessel will be independently designed by China Merchants Industry and constructed at the China Merchants Industry Mazhou Island Base.
The vessel is 175 meters long and 41.8 meters wide. Its hull and system design meet the requirements for shallow-water and bottom-sitting operations. It is equipped with a DP-2 dynamic positioning system, as well as 12,000-ton and 4,000-ton powered rotating cable reels. These features enable the vessel to handle various cable-laying operations and have the capability of laying three cables simultaneously.
The vessel can provide a safe and comfortable working and resting environment for 120 crew members, and adopts the Methanol Ready design to meet the requirements of future carbon neutral technology, which is expected to be delivered in 2027.
Through research on the cable-laying vessel’s operations in both deep and shallow waters, China Merchants Industry has gained a leading edge in aspects such as efficient operation, emissions, cost, energy efficiency, and performance, earning high praise from market customers. China Merchants Industry will work closely with the shipowners, organizing and executing construction meticulously, to deliver high-quality and efficient vessels on schedule.