Recently, Qinshi Jiamei Energy Technology (Nantong) officially signed a contract with Shanghai Foundation Engineering Group, successfully securing the construction project for a 16,000 DWT deep-sea cable-laying vessel. Designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC), the vessel will provide critical equipment support for China’s deep-sea cable laying and maintenance projects upon completion.
The cable-laying vessel is 161.8 meters long, 38 meters wide, and 11.8 meters deep. It has a maximum cable load of 16,000 tons, a crew of 100, an endurance of 45 days, and can operate in unlimited navigation areas. It meets the classification standards of the China Classification Society (CCS). The vessel uses a fully electric propulsion system, with three azimuth thrusters at the stern and three bow thrusters, enabling DP2-level dynamic positioning. Its speed is 12 knots when lightly loaded and 11 knots when fully loaded, allowing for stable operation in complex sea conditions.
From a technical perspective, this vessel addresses the core requirements of deep-sea cable laying and maintenance, achieving three breakthrough capability enhancements. It can perform simultaneous cable laying and burial operations at maximum depths of 150 meters, effortlessly navigating complex shallow-water topography. It also supports dual-channel cable deployment at depths up to 3,000 meters, covering the entire deep-sea and ultra-deep-sea operational spectrum.
It simultaneously handles multiple tasks including cable repair, optical cable laying, and splicing, significantly boosting operational efficiency. Furthermore, the vessel’s innovative design features stand out: the main deck is equipped with concentric inner and outer cable reels and two independent laying lines, paired with large drum winches. This configuration enables parallel processing of multiple tasks, further reducing construction timelines.
According to the construction plan, the vessel will commence construction in June 2026 and be officially delivered for use in the second half of 2027. In the future, the Nantong Tongzhou Bay Demonstration Zone will actively promote the clustering of high-end marine equipment projects near the port, creating a pioneering zone for high-quality development of the marine industry and a high ground for the development of new coastal productivity, striving to achieve a leading position in the province’s marine GDP share by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period.