Kokusai Cable Ship Readies for Asia’s Offshore Wind Farms with New Vessel

Japan’s Kokusai Cable Ship will add a new Vard-designed cable laying vessel to its fleet in 2019. The vessel, currently being built at Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka, will be capable of carrying out cable installation for future offshore wind projects in Asia. 

According to Vard, Kokusai Cable Ship’s new vessel of VARD 9 01 design is tailor-made for efficient installation and repair of subsea telecom cables and, in addition, it is prepared for the expanding power cable installation market by incorporating a high capacity below-deck cable carousel.

On 14 November, UK-based MAATS Tech informed it had signed a contract with Colombo Dockyard to design and install a 2,000t carousel on the vessel. MAATS said it worked closely with Vard, Colombo Dockyard and their client during the design phase to achieve the required capability based on the future subsea power cable market in Asia.

The vessel will feature diesel electric propulsion, DP2 positioning and large cable tanks combined with a 2,000t capacity carousel. The total cable carrying capacity is 5,000t. The outfitting also comprises a dual cable lay system, A-frame, hydro plough and trenching ROV.

The new cable layer is being built in accordance with ClassNK and Japanese flag regulations as well as all relevant international safety and environmental standards, Vard pointed out.