VARD starts building its third Prysmian cable-layer

Norwegian ship designer and shipbuilder VARD has kicked off the construction of its third cable-laying vessel (CLV) for Italian cabling giant Prysmian with a steel-cutting ceremony at its shipyard in Tulcea, Romania.

According to VARD, the new vessel is the evolution of the Leonardo da Vinci / Monna Lisa class, with higher cable loading capacity and enhanced technical solutions.

Prysmian announced at the end of 2023 that it was investing approximately €350 million for two new CLVs to reinforce its submarine project execution capabilities, revealing that, like Leonardo da Vinci and Monna Lisa, it would be built by VARD.

The new vessel of VARD 9 18 design will be 191 meters long, have a breadth of 34 meters, and will incorporate advanced cable installation solutions as it will be equipped with three carousels with a total capacity above 19,000 tons, making it one of the highest cable loading capacity vessels in the industry.

Palfinger Marine will deliver deck equipment and lifesaving appliances (LSA) for the cable-layer, TMC Compressors a marine compressed air system consisting of control and service air compressors, and MacGregor three cranes.

The vessel is scheduled to enter commercial operation in early 2027.

In terms of Monna Lisa, it is currently undergoing outfitting completion, installation of main mission equipment and trials at VARD’s shipyard in Norway.

Prysmian disclosed plans to invest in the sister vessel to Leonardo da Vinci two years ago, and the keel-laying ceremony was held in Tulcea in April 2023 to mark the start of construction.

VARD launched the 171-meter vessel this June, after completing steel cutting, keel laying, generator installation, and hull erection.