VESSEL REVIEW | Calypso – Hybrid cable-layer joins Van Oord’s installation fleet

Netherlands-based offshore installation specialist Van Oord has taken delivery of a new cable-laying vessel built by Norwegian shipyard Vard.

Calypso is the second cable-lay vessel to join Van Oord’s current active fleet and will be operated in support of offshore wind farm construction activities. The vessel has an LOA of 129.8 metres, a moulded beam of 28 metres, a maximum draught of 6.9 metres, a depth of 9.8 metres, a gross tonnage of 9,675, a deadweight tonnage of 10,800, and accommodations for 90 crewmembers and technicians. The design is tailored for cable lay operations with an emphasis on enhanced seakeeping abilities and station keeping performances as well as low fuel consumption, hence the installation of a DP2 system.

The vessel is designed with Vard Design’s optimised hull form and bow shape incorporated in the design. Also fitted are an offshore crane and a secondary crane.

In addition to the cable carousel on the main deck, a second cable carousel is fitted below the main deck. The two carousels have a combined capacity of 8,000 tonnes.

The vessel is fitted with modern sustainable technologies that enable it to reduce its carbon footprint during operations and when on port standby. Apart from the ability to run on biofuel, the hybrid vessel has future-ready engines with built-in flexibility to anticipate e-fuels.

The vessel already possesses a large 1,988kWh Corvus Orca Energy battery pack, a shore supply connection, and an energy management system. This sustainable set-up will result in a more energy-efficient vessel, with significantly reduced CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions ensuring compliance to DNV’s Clean Design requirements.

Calypso will mainly be deployed to install inter-array grid and export cables including high-voltage direct current cables. Van Oord’s cable trenchers and other small unmanned vehicles can also be operated from the vessel.

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