Dutch offshore contractor Boskalis has announced plans to build a new high-capacity cable-laying vessel (CLV) aimed at the rapidly growing offshore wind and energy interconnector markets.
The new vessel will be equipped with two 12,000-ton cable carousels, giving it a total cable carrying capacity of 24,000 tons. One of the carousels will use a concentric design, allowing the ship to install longer continuous cable sections and reduce the number of offshore joints required during installation.
According to Boskalis, the vessel is being designed primarily for long-distance high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable projects, which are becoming increasingly important for connecting offshore wind farms and cross-border power grids.
The company said the investment reflects growing demand for subsea power infrastructure driven by electrification, decarbonization targets, and energy security concerns.
The newbuild is expected to enter service in 2029.
Boskalis noted that offshore wind transmission systems and international interconnectors increasingly require larger-capacity vessels capable of handling longer cable routes more efficiently. The company also highlighted that minimizing offshore cable joints can improve installation speed and long-term cable reliability.The Dutch contractor has been active in the subsea cable installation market for more than 15 years and has participated in over 140 cable-related offshore projects worldwide. Boskalis currently operates three cable-laying vessels, alongside trenching support ships and subsea trenching equipment.
