Asso.subsea has signed a shipbuilding contract with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) Shenzhen Shipyard for the construction of a next-generation Trenching Support Vessel (TSV), named the TSV Avra.
The agreement was formalized during a ceremony held at Asso.subsea’s headquarters in Elefsina, Greece. The vessel is expected to be delivered by the end of 2027.
The Avra is positioned as a breakthrough vessel aimed at elevating trenching capabilities, particularly for floating offshore wind farms and subsea cable markets. It follows the recent announcement of another newbuild, the cable-laying vessel Althea, signaling a period of aggressive fleet expansion for the company.
Designed as a DP-2 double-redundant unit with a hybrid power system rated at 24 MW, the Avra is being billed as the most powerful purpose-built TSV to date. Its propulsion system will enable the simultaneous operation of two advanced trenching vehicles, even under challenging weather conditions, with the goal of accelerating project timelines.
Key features highlighted include:
- Power and bollard pull: 24 MW hybrid power and over 180 tonnes of bollard pull, supporting heavy trenching, ploughing, and boulder clearance operations.
- Multi-role capacity: A 4,000-tonne under-deck cable carousel and twin working decks, allowing support for dynamic cable laying, floating wind installations, and export cable projects.
- Sustainability readiness: Designed to be methanol and bio-fuel ready, with a large battery hybrid system and shore power connection capability to reduce emissions.
- Deck equipment: Includes a 150-tonne offshore crane and dual A-frames, supporting a broad range of subsea construction tasks.
Ioannis Togias, Executive Director of Marine Technology at Asso.subsea, described the contract as a “strategic milestone” that underscores the company’s commitment to advancing offshore industry capabilities through high-spec vessels.
The TSV Avra represents a significant step in Asso.subsea’s strategy to meet growing global demand for sophisticated subsea infrastructure, particularly in the renewable energy sector.