Belgium-based engineering group DEME has confirmed an order for a new Offshore Construction Vessel (OCV), designed to strengthen its subsea cable installation capacity and respond to growing demand in the global offshore wind market.
The vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2028, will join DEME’s existing subsea cable installation fleet, which includes the Living Stone and Viking Neptun. It will be constructed at the Zhoushan shipyard in China by PaxOcean.
Advanced Design for Offshore Cable Operations
The newbuild is based on the Norwegian SALT 310 design and measures 123 meters in length. Its configuration reflects the increasing complexity of offshore wind projects. Key features include:
- A DP2 dynamic positioning system for precise offshore operations.
- A 150-ton active heave-compensated offshore crane.
- Below-deck space for two 2,500-ton cable carousels.
- A hangar to house two Work Class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
- A hybrid battery system rated at 1,000 kWh.
- Methanol-ready propulsion for future fuel flexibility.
The vessel will also have accommodation capacity for 123 people, enabling full-scale project execution without logistical constraints.
Enhancing Trenching and Burial Capabilities
Trenching and cable burial remain critical steps in subsea power cable installation, ensuring cables are safely laid beneath the seabed and protected against environmental and operational risks. The OCV will be capable of deploying an ROV trencher directly from the vessel to execute these operations.
By integrating trenching, burial, and cable-laying capabilities into a single platform, DEME is positioning itself to handle larger offshore wind projects that demand simultaneous or sequential operations. The vessel’s design allows for swift transitions between different installation modes, reducing downtime and improving project efficiency.
Building on Subsea Cable Experience
Hugo Bouvy, Managing Director Offshore Energy at DEME, emphasized the company’s extensive experience in subsea cable installation.
“With more than 5,000 km of subsea cables installed across wind farms in Europe and the United States, DEME continues to support clients in delivering offshore projects efficiently and reliably,” he said. “Building on this track record, the new OCV further enhances DEME’s cable installation capabilities and expands its versatile fleet of vessels and solutions.”
Responding to Offshore Wind Growth
The offshore wind industry has seen rapid global expansion, with increasing project sizes, deeper water installations, and longer transmission distances to shore. Subsea cables form the backbone of these projects, connecting turbines and substations to the grid.
As developers push into new markets in the United States and Asia-Pacific, demand for advanced subsea installation vessels is rising. DEME’s investment reflects the industry’s broader trend toward fleet renewal and fuel-flexible propulsion technologies that support decarbonization goals.
The 2028 delivery will add to DEME’s fleet of over 100 vessels, reinforcing its role in complex offshore wind and subsea cable projects worldwide.
