Prysmian Group has taken a step forward in the construction of its new cable-laying vessel.
In accordance with the timeline, basic design phase has been substantially completed, detail engineering is well in progress, steel cutting started in May 2019 and keel laying work kicked off last week at Vard’s shipyards, the company informed.
Named Leonardo da Vinci, in tribute to the famous Italian genius, inventor, engineer, globally recognized as the leading artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance, the new vessel will be fully operational by 2Q 2021.
With an investment in excess of €170 million, this strategic asset will reinforce Prysmian’s project execution capability and its one-stop-shop solution provider approach, the company noted.
“The acquisition of €700 million Viking Link contract confirms Prysmian’s undisputed market leadership and allows us to pursue opportunities in the submarine cable market, in particular in offshore wind farm sector. Leonardo da Vinci will be the most advanced cable layer in the market and it will dramatically improve the Group’s project execution capabilities and ability to support our customers, TSOs and Utilities, in matching the increasing need for upgrading power grids to support the energy transition,” said Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects, Prysmian Group.
With a length of approximately 170 m and a breadth of about 34 m, Leonardo da Vinci will be have several features including deep water installation capabilities for depths of more than 3,000 m; maximum speed above 14 knots; 2 carousels of 7,000 and 10,000 tons; two independent laying lines in order to increase its operative flexibility; bollard pull in excess of 180 tons.
In addition, it will be equipped with DP3 positioning and seakeeping systems, while a specifically designed engine and propulsion set up will ensure a reduced environmental footprint.
All cable handling and installation equipment has been designed by Prysmian.