DP World’s P&O Maritime Logistics has announced plans to convert one of its module carrier vessels into a cable-laying vessel (CLV) to connect offshore wind farms with the mainland.
The vessel will be the first of its kind within the company’s fast-expanding portfolio of specialised offshore products and services. It will feature an ultra-shallow draft, engineered grounding capability, and a 4,000-tonne cable load capacity
Set to start operations in the third quarter of 2024, the company’s newly converted vessel will be equipped with a battery system, as well as a low-fuel consumption propulsion layout for green methanol fuel.
Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics, said: “The conversion of our vessel is a real step change. It means, apart from expanding our existing services and products into a more specialised offering, that we can also make a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of our industry. One way of doing this is by using alternative energy to power the converted vessel. The other important contribution is that the CLV will predominately support the construction, development, and maintenance of existing and prospective wind farms. Lastly, and by repurposing an existing vessel, we are able to extend the lifetime of this particular product quite significantly to keep up with the increasing demand in the sector.”
