Haimen, China – The world’s largest subsea cable-laying vessel, the Fleeming Jenkin, was recently launched at the CMHI Haimen shipyard in China, marking a significant milestone for the renewable energy sector and global subsea infrastructure. Owned by Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul, the vessel is designed to install the next generation of subsea cables for offshore wind farms and interconnectors worldwide.
The launch, which involved flooding the dry dock, signifies the vessel’s transition into its final construction phase, including outfitting and sea trials, with delivery anticipated for the second half of 2026.
Unparalleled Capacity and Advanced Capabilities
The Fleeming Jenkin boasts an impressive loading capacity of 28,000 tonnes, making it the largest cable-laying vessel ever constructed. At 215 meters in length, the vessel is engineered to install longer and heavier cables in ultra-deep waters, reaching depths of up to 3,000 meters. This capacity is double that of any other cable-laying vessel currently on the market.
Designed for Next-Generation Offshore Grids
The vessel is equipped with three cable carousels and a dedicated hold for fiber optic cables, allowing it to lay up to four cables simultaneously. This advanced capability is crucial for projects like TenneT’s 2GW offshore grid connection program, where the Fleeming Jenkin will undertake its first assignment. This program introduces new offshore grid connection systems, each capable of transmitting up to two gigawatts—more than double the capacity of traditional connections. The Fleeming Jenkin will be instrumental in installing over 2,800 kilometers of export cables across four such connections, spanning a distance exceeding 700 kilometers.
Environmental Efficiency and In-house Design
Jan De Nul emphasizes the vessel’s eco-friendly design, describing it as an Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv). The Fleeming Jenkin incorporates an advanced dual exhaust filter system that removes up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions and significantly reduces nitrogen oxide levels to meet EURO VI standards. Its engines are also capable of running on biofuel and green methanol, further contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. Wouter Vermeersch, Director of Subsea Cables Offshore Energy at Jan De Nul, stated that the vessel was designed entirely in-house, combining fifteen years of cable installation expertise to operate efficiently and minimize both cost and environmental impact.
Strategic Importance in the Growing Subsea Cable Market
The launch of the Fleeming Jenkin comes at a time of booming demand for subsea cable infrastructure, driven by the global push for renewable energy and increased connectivity. Subsea cables are vital for transmitting electricity from offshore wind farms and for global telecommunications and data flow.
China’s Role in Subsea Cable Manufacturing and Installation
While the Fleeming Jenkin is owned by a Belgian company, its construction in China highlights the country’s growing prowess in advanced shipbuilding and its strategic importance in the global maritime industry. China has also been making significant strides in its own subsea cable capabilities. Chinese companies have invested in and participated in numerous international and domestic submarine cable projects, cumulatively installing over 70,000 kilometers of submarine cables. Companies like HMN Technologies have emerged as significant players in the global submarine cable industry, undertaking projects across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
This development underscores the critical role of specialized vessels like the Fleeming Jenkin in building out the infrastructure necessary for a more connected and sustainably powered future.
