VARD 9 01 cable laying vessel (illustrations: Vard)

Vard Holdings Limited, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, has announced that it has secured a contract for the design of one Cable Lay Vessel for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd in Japan. The vessel is being constructed at Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka.

Vard Design has secured the ship design contract with Colombo Dockyard for Kokusai Cable Ship’s newest addition to their fleet. The vessel of VARD 9 01 design is tailor-made for efficient installation and repair of subsea telecom cables. Additionally the vessel is prepared for the expanding power cable installation market by incorporating a high capacity below-deck cable carousel.

Developed in close cooperation with the shipowner, the shipyard and key suppliers, the vessel will add a new level of efficiency and capability to the cable laying market in Japan. Built in full accordance with ClassNK and Japanese flag regulations as well as all relevant international safety and environmental standards, the vessel will feature diesel electric propulsion, DP2 positioning and large cable tanks combined with a 2000 ton capacity carousel. The total cable carrying capacity is 5000 tons. The outfitting also comprises a dual cable lay system, A-frame, hydro plough and trenching ROV.

Erik Haakonsholm, Senior Vice President in Vard Design, says, “Vard Design has designed 185 specialised vessels for shipowners and shipyards all over the world. We are proud to be selected by Kokusai Cable Ship together with Colombo Dockyard to design their new flagship. Our first cable layer of VARD 9 01 design was built by VARD in 2014, and the new vessel for operations in the Japanese market is a further evolution of this vessel, with additional capacity and power cable installation features.”

The keel laying ceremony for the vessel was held in Colombo on 7 September, 2017. The vessel will be delivered in 2019.

Tags: ClassNK, Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd, Vard Holdings Limited (VARD)