The World’s Biggest & Most Advanced Cable Laying Vessel
The title of the world’s biggest and most advanced cable-laying vessel is held by Leonardo da Vinci, operated by the Prysmian Group.
It was constructed by Vard, a subsidiary of Fincantieri, and is 171 m long and 34 m wide with a summer draught of 8.5 m and a displacement of 36,400 tonnes at full load. It is sailing under the Italian Flag.
It is fitted with two carousels, one with a 10,000-tonne capacity and another with a 7000-tonne capacity. These two independent laying lines give the vessel increased operational flexibility as well.
The world’s biggest cable laying vessel can carry out the deepest power cable installations of up to 3000 m, due to the new-gen cable technology with composite materials and aramid fibres.
The vessel’s capstan capacity of up to 100 tons is double the industry average.
It has a bollard pull of around 200 tonnes, enabling complex installation operations with the help of trenching and burial equipment such as jet trenching tools and ROVs.
Leonardo da Vinci has two enclosed hangars for Remotely Operated Vehicles or ROVs and a helideck for take-off and landing of Sikorsky S92 type and AW 101.
It is also equipped with a DP3 or dynamic positioning system that ensures precise station-keeping in rough seas, allowing deep-water installations.
The world’s biggest cable-laying vessel’s hybrid power system consists of 6 diesel generators while its propulsion system has three aft pod thrusters, two forward retractable thrusters and two bow tunnel thrusters for greater manoeuvrability.
Its battery packs accumulate peak shaving when energy demand is greater, enabling the ship to have limited use of generators, leading to low emissions and less fuel consumption.
The ship was made to have an operational autonomy of 3 months and a speed of above 14 knots, boosting project efficiency.
It can accommodate 120 crew members and has several working and recreational spaces, including a gymnasium, auditorium, game room, dayroom and officers’ lounge.
The vessel’s high cable load capacity and speed decrease the number of installation campaigns needed for projects, significantly reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption, which is 40% less than conventional cable-layers.
Leonardo da Vinci has been involved in many projects, the major ones being the Viking Link submarine cable connection between the UK and Denmark, which is the world’s longest power interconnection project; Submarine power interconnections between the Spanish islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; and Offshore wind farm projects like Saint Nazaire in France.
You might also like to read-
- Top 10 Cable Laying Ships in the World
- What are Offshore Vessels?
- What is a Cable Laying Ship?
- Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bigger Vessels For Exporters, Shippers & Cargo Owners
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About Author
Zahra is an SEO-Strategist & a Technical Writer with over 5 years of experience crafting top-tier content for the shipping world. From news, articles, ebooks, blogs and marketing pieces to industry white papers, she has written it all and now brings that experience to her role as Senior Editor. She makes complex maritime stories clear, sharp, and engaging.
Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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