China To Build Nation’s Largest Electric-Powered Cable-Laying Vessel

Cable Layer — Image for representation purposes only

China is set to build its largest self-propelled, pure electric-powered cable-laying vessel after a construction deal was signed between Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Shanghai Yuanwei Construction Engineering Co, a unit of Zhongtian Technology Group (ZTT).

According to industry sources, the vessel will be 139.8 meters long and 38 meters wide, and is being designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC).

It will be the largest electric-driven cable laying ship in the country and is expected to be delivered by December 2027.

The ship will feature advanced capabilities including a maximum operating water depth of 200 meters and a cable carrying capacity of 16,000 tonnes, which ZTT called a domestic record.

It will also be equipped with a helicopter platform, a large coaxial turntable, dual exit channels, and the ability to lay two cables simultaneously.

Once completed, the ship is expected to lay over 1,000 kilometers of subsea cables every year.

ZTT has said that the new vessel will help address a regional bottleneck in laying deep-sea cables beyond 100 kilometers and serve as core equipment for Nantong’s offshore expansion.

The vessel will also support the development of new marine infrastructure such as offshore wind power and energy islands.

The order was place through ZTT’s Shanghai Yuanwei unit. While the cost of the vessel has not been publicly disclosed, the deal is a significant addition to ZTT’s fleet.

The company already owns another cable-laying ship delivered in 2018, along with two heavy lift-crane vessels built in 2018 and 2024- each constructed in Chinese shipyards.

The shipbuilder, Nantong Xiangyu, is better known for its work on bulk carriers and chemical tankers.

Its current orderbook includes 83 vessels, such as kamsarmax, ultramax, and handysize dry bulk units for clients like Alloceans Shipping, Cardiff Marine, Doun Kisen, Eurobulk and Nisshin Shipping.

The shipyard also builds chemical tankers between 3,000 and 8,000 deadweight tonnes for owners including GEFO and Stolt Tankers.

This new electric-powered cable-laying ship is expected to play a key role in China’s marine infrastructure and energy plans in the coming years.

Reference: worldports

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