ULSTEIN Unveils New High-Capacity Cable Lay Vessel

ULSTEIN has designed an innovative new cable lay vessel capable of carrying 12,500 tonnes of power cable that can be laid as one single piece.

The vessel, LX109, will be “a high capacity, highly efficient cable lay vessel with compact dimensions.”

On the open top vessel, the company will implement its patent pending Cable Arch system, which connects the forward and aft turntables to allow loading and laying one continuous cable of up to 12,500 tonnes.

“This capacity was made possible by positioning the turntables into the hull instead of their conventional location on deck, improving vessel’s stability. A feature also applied by Ulstein on a rock installation vessel currently under construction. This approach resulted in a slim vessel that can transport and lay cable much more efficient than conventional vessel designs with larger beams,” ULSTEIN stated.

The vessel features a large hangar with ROV moonpool and workboat storage. It also includes X-BOW and X-STERNTM hull designs.

“With this design we like to bring the cable lay market to the next level,” stated Edwin van Leeuwen, product management leader at Ulstein Design & Solutions. “Using the ship and equipment knowledge available in the Ulstein Group, resulted in a revolutionary, truly integrated design, based on existing technologies. By focusing on a dedicated vessel for cable lay projects, we have been able to dramatically improve on project economy, seakeeping behavior and fuel economy.”