Jan De Nul orders world’s largest cable-laying vessel from ChinaJan De Nul orders world’s largest cable-laying vessel from China

The CLV, named Fleeming Jenkin, will be equipped with three cable carousels, two mounted on deck and third below deck, and a large hold for fibre optic cables, capable of laying up to four cables simultaneously.

The vessel is powered by engines that can run on biofuel and green methanol and the hybrid power plant on board contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions and optimal fuel usage. It combines the generators with a 2.5 MWh battery and drive technology, designed for peak shaving, load smoothening, spinning reserve and optimised engine loading.

Jan De Nul stated that negotiations were ongoing for key equipment to be delivered from Europe.

“We stand firm in our belief in the energy transition. Following our previous investments in the jack-up vessel Voltaire and crane vessel Les Alizés for the installation of the next-gen wind turbines and their foundations, we now proceed with this magnificent cable-laying vessel,” said Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Energy Division at Jan De Nul Group. “Thanks to her unprecedented capabilities, the new CLV will be a perfect fit for the interconnector and export cable markets.”

The vessel, designed to install cables into ultra-deep waters up to 3,000 metres, will be equipped with a highly advanced dual exhaust filter system that removes up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions using a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) for NOx removal.

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It will join the Jan De Nul fleet in 2026 – currently consisting of two jack-up installation vessels, three floating crane installation vessels, five rock installation vessels and two multipurpose vessels.