A new cable-laying vessel (CLV) built in Vietnam for ATE Energy International has entered into service in Taiwan, where it will be deployed for subsea infrastructure and offshore energy projects.
Oceanus 1, which arrived in Kaohsiung on 16 September, was built by Pacific Shipbuilding Joint Stock Company in Vietnam and was designed for operating conditions in the Taiwan Strait.
“OCEANUS 1 gives Taiwan dedicated cable installation capability, based at home and designed around the operating conditions of the Taiwan Strait. It strengthens our ability to support offshore energy and subsea infrastructure projects in Taiwan, while giving us the flexibility to serve opportunities elsewhere in the world,” said Dave Gibson, Director of Submarine Cables Department at ATE Energy International.
The vessel is equipped with a 30-meter-diameter cable carousel rated for up to 8,000 tons of cable, together with DPS 2 capability, a 250-ton hydraulic A-frame, jet plough capability and an SMD Quasar III work-class ROV.
Synergy Marine Group will provide ship management with technical and crew management through its Taiwan-based and regional offices.
Mermaid Subsea Services (Thailand) will support project management for the vessel’s cable lay operations, subject to the award and finalisation of the relevant projects and contractual arrangements, while ATE’s Submarine Cables Department will oversee the vessel’s deployment and cable lay activities.
According to Synergy Marine, the vessel’s modular work deck can be configured for cable transport, trenching, cable protection, jointing and survey work, allowing the vessel to support offshore wind cable installation, subsea power transmission and other marine infrastructure projects.
Oceanus 1 offers accommodation for up to 77 personnel.
“OCEANUS 1 will spend long periods working offshore, where station keeping, machinery reliability and the experience of the crew all determine what can be achieved. Our Taiwan and regional teams have worked with ATE since the vessel’s delivery, and we will support her with the same care we bring to every vessel under our management. We appreciate the confidence ATE has placed in us,” said Ajay Chaudhry, Co-CEO – Ship Management at Synergy Marine Group.