Belgian marine contractor DEME has ordered a new Offshore Construction Vessel (OCV) to expand its subsea cable installation capabilities and support growing demand in the offshore energy sector.
The 123-metre vessel, which will be constructed by PaxOcean at the Zhoushan shipyard in China, is scheduled for delivery in 2028. It will complement DEME’s existing cable installation vessels Living Stone and Viking Neptun.
Designed by Norwegian firm SALT Ship Design, the vessel will be equipped with dynamic positioning (DP2) capabilities, a 150-tonne active heave-compensated crane, and a hangar for two work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). It will also feature a hybrid 1,000kWh battery system and a methanol-ready propulsion design, aligning with industry moves toward lower-emission technologies.
Two 2,500-tonne cable carousels located below deck will allow for continuous operations across trenching, burial, and laying processes. The vessel will be able to accommodate up to 123 personnel.
“With more than 5,000km of subsea cables installed across wind farms in Europe and the United States, DEME continues to support clients in delivering offshore projects efficiently and reliably,” said Hugo Bouvy, managing director offshore energy at DEME. “Building on this track record, the new OCV further enhances DEME’s cable installation capabilities and expands its versatile fleet of vessels and solutions.”
The investment comes as global offshore wind and energy transmission projects drive increased demand for specialized installation vessels.
