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Energy independence has become a strategic priority for many governments, and offshore renewable projects are moving forward at pace. To support this expansion, Jan De Nul is continuing to invest in vessels designed for the installation and protection of subsea power cables.
The Belgian offshore contractor announced plans to further strengthen its offshore energy fleet with two additional vessels dedicated to burying submarine cables in the seabed. The move follows earlier orders for two extra large cable installation vessels and a rock installation vessel.
Subsea cables form a critical link in the offshore energy chain. They transport electricity generated by offshore wind farms to shore and connect regional and national power grids. As offshore capacity grows, protecting these cables becomes just as important as installing them.
New trenching support vessel under construction
One of the new additions will be a purpose built trenching support vessel equipped with a subsea trenching robot capable of burying cables up to five metres beneath the seabed.
The vessel is based on an Ulstein design and will be constructed at the CMHI shipyard in China. Once delivered, it will join Jan De Nul’s expanding fleet dedicated to offshore renewable energy projects.
The trenching system will be operated from the vessel deck and designed to work in combination with cable installation operations. Burying cables beneath the seabed provides additional protection against anchors, fishing gear, and seabed movement.
Like other recently ordered vessels in the company’s fleet, the new vessel will feature ULEv technology. This Ultra Low Emission system filters up to 99 percent of nanoparticles from exhaust gases and significantly reduces polluting emissions.
The engines can operate on biofuel to lower CO₂ emissions and are prepared for potential future operation on methanol. This reflects a broader trend across offshore construction fleets as operators prepare for stricter environmental regulations.
Henry Darcy to be converted for shallow water trenching
Alongside the newbuild vessel, Jan De Nul will convert its existing vessel Henry Darcy into a trenching support vessel.
The vessel will be equipped with a subsea robot specifically designed to bury cables in shallow waters where installation conditions can be more complex. The robot has been ordered from subsea engineering partner Osbit.
Shallow water trenching is often required close to shore where cables approach landing points or connect to coastal grid infrastructure. These sections of the cable route can be among the most sensitive parts of offshore transmission systems.
Fleet expansion targets offshore energy growth
With the latest additions, Jan De Nul now has four vessels under construction dedicated to subsea cable installation and protection. A fifth vessel is currently undergoing conversion.
According to Wouter Vermeersch, Director Subsea Cables Offshore Energy at Jan De Nul, the investment reflects both market demand and the company’s expectation that offshore energy infrastructure will continue to expand.
He noted that the company recently ordered two large cable installation vessels named Fleeming Jenkin and William Thomson. In addition, the rock installation vessel George W. Goethals was ordered last year to provide protective rock layers over subsea cables and energy infrastructure.
Vermeersch said the next logical step was to add vessels specifically designed to bury cables safely in the seabed.
He described the investments as significant, although the company has not disclosed the financial scale of the program. According to Vermeersch, the fleet expansion also signals that the offshore construction sector is ready to support the growth of locally generated energy systems.
“Energy cables are the missing link in connecting local and national electricity grids,” he said, adding that the company is preparing its fleet to support a reliable energy system based on electricity produced at sea.
