Jan De Nul has ordered a new vessel that can bury energy cables in the seabed and is a converting a second one to do the same in shallow water. Submarine cables are a crucial component for exporting energy produced at sea and can connect local and national electricity grids.
Energy independence is a global priority, and Jan De Nul is actively expanding its offshore energy fleet to meet this challenge. Two large vessels for the installation of submarine cables are currently under construction. Last year, the company also ordered rock installation vessel to protect those cables. The fleet will now be further expanded with the two additional vessels.
Wouter Vermeersch, Director Subsea Cables Offshore Energy at Jan De Nul: ‘With the Fleeming Jenkin and the William Thomson, we will soon expand our fleet with two XL vessels for the installation of subsea cables. Investing in vessels that can protect those same cables is a logical next step. Last year, we announced the rock installation vessel George W. Goethals, which protects cables and other energy infrastructure with a protective rock layer. Now we are also expanding our fleet with vessels designed to bury cables safely in the seabed.’
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New trenching support vessel and conversion
A first reinforcement will come with a new trenching support vessel equipped with a trencher: an ultra-modern subsea robot. Operated from the deck, the robot can bury cables up to five metres deep.
The vessel is an Ulstein design and will be built at the CMHI shipyard in China. Like all recent vessels of Jan De Nul, it will be equipped with ULEv technology, short for Ultra-Low Emission vessel. This technology filters up to 99 per cent of nanoparticles from exhaust gases and reduces the amount of polluting substances. The vessel’s engines can run on biofuel, lowering CO2 emissions. In addition, the vessel and its engines are prepared for future operation on methanol.
In addition, Jan De Nul will convert its vessel Henry Darcy into a trenching support vessel, equipped with a subsea robot specialised in burying cables in shallow waters. This robot was recently ordered from partner Osbit.
Also read: VIDEO: Jan De Nul launches world’s largest cable-layer
Five new vessels coming
Jan De Nul now has four vessels under construction for the installation and protection of subsea cables, and one vessel under conversion.
‘We do not comment on specific figures, but the efforts we are making here are huge,’ states Vermeersch. ‘This also sends a signal to our governments: we are ready to further support the expansion of offshore energy production and contribute to a reliable energy system based on locally generated electricity.’
Image by Jan De Nul.
Also read: Jan De Nul orders largest rock installation vessel to date
