Japan’s Penta-Ocean Construction to Build Cutting-Edge Cable Laying Vessel

Japan-based Penta-Ocean Construction has recently made waves in the maritime industry by signing a shipbuilding contract with PaxOcean Group for the construction of a state-of-the-art self-propelled large-scale cable laying vessel (CLV). This strategic move marks a significant expansion of Penta-Ocean’s capabilities, transitioning from offshore wind turbine construction to power cable laying for the industry.

The new CLV is set to be a game-changer in the field, boasting self-propelled capabilities and being fitted with two 5,000 t cable carousels, totaling 10,000 t of cable storage. This cutting-edge vessel will enable safe and efficient cable laying operations in the open sea, even in harsh metocean conditions.

Equipped with the latest trencher for burying cables and a work class ROV, the CLV will have the capacity to undertake cable burial work with precision and efficiency. Notably, the vessel will be capable of laying and burying cables for both bottom-fixed and floating-type offshore wind turbines, as well as submarine direct current power transmission cables.

Furthermore, the vessel will be equipped with ClassNK DPS2, a dynamic positioning system featuring seven thrusters with a total output of 16,000 kW or more. In line with environmental sustainability initiatives, the CLV will feature a battery storage system and be designed to be methanol-ready, promoting carbon neutrality efforts.

The ship design for this groundbreaking vessel will be entrusted to Salt Ship Design in Norway, renowned for its expertise in CLV design. The construction will be carried out by PaxOcean, while the trencher and work class ROV will be supplied by U.K.-based SMD.

Anticipated to be completed by February 2028, the CLV is scheduled to commence operations in the first half of 2029. The total cost of construction, including equipment, is estimated at $237 million (JPY 36.5 billion).

In a statement, Penta-Ocean expressed its commitment to advancing marine civil engineering and contributing to the expansion of offshore wind power supply in Japan. The company highlighted its proactive investments in large-scale work vessels essential for offshore wind construction, with the construction of this innovative CLV representing a significant step towards future offshore wind power projects in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.

With the vision of building the world’s largest and most advanced CLV, Penta-Ocean is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of offshore wind power construction. This strategic endeavor underscores the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the maritime industry.