Keel laid for Japan-bound hybrid cable lay & construction vessel

Norwegian ship designer and shipbuilder VARD has held the keel laying ceremony for what is said to be a highly customized hybrid power cable lay and construction vessel that will serve the Japanese offshore wind market.

VARD is building the vessel for Toyo Construction, a Japanese general construction company that operates civil and architecture construction businesses, under a contract secured at the end of 2023 worth over $200 million.

The keel laying ceremony for NB 980, of VARD 9 15 design that was specially developed to cater to the Japanese offshore wind market, was held on September 24 at Vard Shipyards Romania – Braila.

According to VARD, the vessel will have an optimal hull design to suit the natural and construction conditions in Japan, allowing it to be used in both shallow waters and deep waters for floating offshore wind power generation and DC power transmission projects.

Vard Electro is delivering SeaQ equipment and solutions, with Vard Interiors delivering modern interior solutions and green HVAC R system.

The vessel is scheduled for completion by Q2 2026.

Toyo Construction and Japanese-based Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) established a joint venture focusing on offshore wind power generation last summer, through which they want to create stronger synergies in a wide range of areas related to offshore wind, including survey planning, procurement of work vessels, and offshore construction.

The self-propelled cable-laying vessel will be powered by five main gensets and two batteries and will have a carrying capacity of 9,000 tons. It will have a maximum transit speed of 13 knots and will comprise 90 single cabins for 90 persons on board.

Huisman will deliver a full electric 250mt hybrid boom subsea crane and a 100mt knuckle boom crane for the vessel.