Asso Subsea orders new cable layer at China Merchants Heavy Industry

Asso Subsea has signed a contract signing for the construction of a DP2 cable laying vessel to be named Althea, due for delivery in Q2 2027.

Purpose-designed for operation in challenging environments, including shallow waters and intertidal zones, Althea will be built at the Mazhou Island site of China Merchants Heavy Industry in Shenzen.

"With the ability to manage up to 12,000 tonnes of cable in one, two or three carousel divisions, Althea will be able to support multi-section operations, enabling seamless bundled cable laying with precision and efficiency," the company said.

Capable of operating at draughts as light as 4.5 metres in full DP2 mode with a cable payload of more than 50 per cent of her maximum capacity, and designed for beaching in intertidal zones, Althea will offer access to areas beyond the reach of conventional cable laying vessels.

She will feature nine thrusters, powered by a diesel-electric plant under a three-section split bus bar philosophy, and four spud-cans for positioning in shallow water.

Althea will be powered by a hybrid diesel and battery power generation plant, and be equipped with methanol-ready engines capable of running on biofuels and complying with IMO Tier III NOx emission standards.