Jan De Nul orders second subsea trenching vessel for cable burial

Jan De Nul, a leading Belgian dredging specialist, has announced the order of its second subsea trenching support vessel. This new build will be an exact sister ship to the Isambard K. Brunel, which was ordered in March. The vessel is part of Jan De Nul’s strategic expansion for burying and protecting subsea cables.

Order Details and Fleet Expansion

The new trenching support vessel will be a twin to the Isambard K. Brunel, bringing the total number of vessels under construction to five. These include two XL cable-laying vessels (Fleeming Jenkin and William Thomson), an XL rock installation vessel (George W. Goethals), and now two trenching support vessels. The latest order further cements Jan De Nul’s commitment to expanding its capacity for subsea cable installation and protection, bringing the company’s total fleet for these operations to fourteen vessels.

Technology and Environmental Considerations

The new vessel will feature Jan De Nul's Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv) technology. This innovative technology can filter up to 99% of nanoparticles from exhaust gases, significantly reducing emissions. Moreover, the engines are designed for future methanol operation, aligning with broader industry efforts towards cleaner fuels.

Jan De Nul has also highlighted that the new vessel will be capable of operating on biofuel in addition to its methanol readiness. This dual-fuel capability underscores Jan De Nul’s commitment to sustainable practices while ensuring operational flexibility and resilience.

Fleet Composition

The company’s expanding fleet now includes:

• Two XL cable-laying vessels: Fleeming Jenkin (completed sea trials) and William Thomson. The Fleeming Jenkin has completed its first sea trials and is in the final construction phase, while the William Thomson will follow shortly.
• An XL rock installation vessel: George W. Goethals, which will protect cables with layers of rock.
• Two trenching support vessels: Isambard K. Brunel and the new vessel being ordered in this announcement.

Cable Installation and Protection

The new trenching vessel is specifically designed to bury subsea cables up to five metres into the seabed, ensuring safe and efficient cable installation and protection. According to Jan De Nul, these vessels will play a crucial role in bringing offshore energy ashore and connecting electricity grids. The investments in these vessels reflect Jan De Nul’s strategic importance in enabling global energy infrastructure.

Wouter Vermeersch, Director Subsea Cables Offshore Energy at Jan De Nul, noted: "Our two new cable-laying vessels will soon enter the market. The investments in vessels that can protect cables at the same pace are a logical next step. With the Isambard K. Brunel and this new sister vessel, we are also adding two vessels for burying cables in the seabed. This will bring our fleet to a total of fourteen vessels for the installation and protection of subsea cables."

What this means for operators

The expanded fleet at Jan De Nul offers enhanced capabilities for operators working on subsea cable installations, providing greater flexibility and operational efficiency. The dual-fuel readiness and advanced emissions reduction technology in these vessels will help meet stringent environmental regulations while reducing operational costs associated with fuel.

For shipowners and operators involved in similar projects, the news highlights the increasing importance of investing in sustainable and technologically advanced equipment to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. The trend towards cleaner fuels like methanol and biofuel is expected to continue, making such investments particularly prudent.

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