Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecommunications cable systems sector, confirms the construction of the new cable-laying vessel, one of the most advanced in the world entrusted to the Vard shipyards, part of the Fincantieri Group. Operations are continuing in line with the defined timescales: most of the basic design has been completed, detailed engineering is well advanced, steel cutting operations started in May 2019 while keel laying operations have been started last week.
The name chosen for the new ship is Leonardo da Vinci, in homage to the famous genius, inventor and engineer recognized worldwide as the leading artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance. The new vessel will be fully operational by Q2021 XNUMX. Con an investment of over 170 million, this strategic asset will strengthen Prysmian's project execution capability and its approach as a one-stop-shop service provider.
“The acquisition of the Viking Link contract worth 700 million – he commented Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects of Prysmian Group – confirms Prysmian's undisputed leadership and allows us to seize the opportunities in the submarine cables market, particularly in the sector of cable connections for offshore wind farms. Leonardo da Vinci will be the most advanced cable-laying vessel on the market and will significantly improve the Group's project execution capabilities and its ability to support customers, TSOs and Utilities in responding to the growing need to upgrade ever more sustainable".
The new ship will be presented at the event “WindEurope Offshore Conference and Exhibition” which will be held in Copenhagen from 26 to 28 November 2019. With a length of approximately 170 m and a beam of approximately 34 m, the Leonardo da Vinci has been designed to be the most performing cable ship on the market and will guarantee greater capacity and versatility in the realization of projects thanks to advanced features such as: ability to install in deep waters at more than 3.000 meters also thanks to a new generation cable technology, equipped with a lighter armor; maximum speed exceeding 14 knots; 2 carousels of 7.000 and 10.000 tons which guarantee the highest capacity on the market allowing to reduce transport times from the factory to the site, thus improving the overall project efficiency; two independent laying lines to increase operational flexibility; towing force in excess of 180 tons enabling complex installation operations to be carried out supporting a variety of landfill systems and equipment such as the Subsea Plow and Hydroplow.
The vessel will also be equipped with state-of-the-art DP3 systems for positioning and seakeeping, while the engine and propulsion configuration has been specifically designed to ensure a reduced environmental impact. All cable handling and installation equipment they were designed by Prysmian. Prysmian's current fleet consists of three cable laying vessels, Julius Verne, Cable Enterprise and Ulisse, combined with the widest range of high-tech equipment for installation and burial, such as Hydroplows, HD3 plows and Post Lay Burial machines (Sea Mole, SeaRex and Otter), is already among the most technologically advanced in the world.
This new strategic asset will consolidate the Group's leadership in the submarine cables and systems sector and increase the capacity of submarine cable operations by insourcing installation activities, while ensuring timely delivery and project execution.
