The Belgian Jan De Nul Group has placed an order for an extra-large cable-laying vessel at the CMHI Haimen shipyard for 2026 delivery, to serve the renewable energy and subsea cable industry in installing cables over longer distances and in deeper waters.
Offshore wind farms today require longer, stronger and heavier cables for deeper waters. For that reason, Jan De Nul continues to invest in installation assets and human resources to serve the offshore energy industry. The new vessel is named after British Prof Henry Charles Fleeming Jenkin (1833-1885), who was an active pioneer in offshore cable installation.
Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Energy Division, Jan De Nul Group said: “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. Thanks to her unprecedented capabilities, Fleeming Jenkin will be a perfect fit for the interconnector and export cable markets.”
The vessel is to be equipped with a powerful DP2 system, enabling her to operate steadily in deep, but also in shallow waters, thanks to an additional third bow thruster.
Wouter Vermeersch, Manager Offshore Cables, Jan De Nul Group said: “Fleeming Jenkin bundles all the cable installation expertise we’ve gained over the past decade. This vessel and technologies on board are designed by our in-house specialists. In 2013 we changed the power cable installation market by introducing our cable-laying vessel Isaac Newton with higher carrying capacities than available on the market. Today, we continue our pioneering entrepreneurship by ordering the world’s most advanced cable-laying vessel. We look forward to welcoming this new ability to further satisfy our customers worldwide.”
Fleeming Jenkin will be equipped with an advanced dual exhaust filter system which removes up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions using a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) for NOx removal. The ULEv system also significantly reduces exhaust gas pollutants. Thanks to the ULEv system, the vessel complies with the strict European Stage V emission standards for inland waterway vessels. Moreover, the NOx emissions are reduced to such an extent that this vessel meets the even stricter Euro VI emission limits.
The vessel is powered by engines that can run on biofuel and green methanol, confirmed by the Methanol-fuel-dual-fuel notation, to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The hybrid power plant also contributes to the reduction of GHG 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 Van de Velde, Director New Building, Jan De Nul Group said: “Fleeming Jenkin combines our in-house knowledge of designing and operating cable-laying vessels in close collaboration with our clients. The result is a vessel that is highly efficient in operations with a much-reduced environmental footprint. We look forward to starting the project with CMHI , working together towards a smooth construction and timely delivery. Meanwhile contract negotiations are ongoing for key equipment to be delivered from Europe.”
