Asso.Subsea orders cable laying vessel designed for shallow waters

Greek submarine cable installation company Asso.Subsea has entered into an agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry for the construction of a new large cable laying vessel that can also be operated in shallow waters.

The completed cable laying vessel will have a length of 175 metres, a beam of 41.8 metres, a DP2 system, accommodation for 120 crewmembers and other personnel, and two cable carousels with capacities of 12,000 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes, respectively. The vessel will also be capable of bottom-sitting on its hull if needed.

The vessel will also feature a propulsion system that can be configured to operate on methanol fuel in the future. Equipment will also be available to permit three cables to be laid simultaneously.

Delivery of the new cable laying vessel is scheduled for 2027. Design work will be undertaken by China Merchants Industry (CMI) and construction will take place at CMI's facilities on Mazhou Island.