Prysmian Cable-Laying Vessels Support Growing Submarine Demand
Prysmian Group (prysmian.com) plans to add two new cutting-edge cable‑laying vessels to expand its fleet and better serve rising global energy transmission needs. The Prysmian cable‑laying vessel expansion will strengthen the company’s ability to deliver complex submarine projects and meet fast‑growing demand from interconnectors and offshore wind farms in Europe and the U.S.
€350 Million Investment to Boost Project Execution
Prysmian will invest approximately €350 million in these two advanced vessels to reinforce its submarine project execution capabilities. Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects BU at Prysmian Group, noted that the market is growing rapidly and that demand for submarine cable systems continues to increase for cross‑border interconnections and offshore wind projects on both sides of the Atlantic. This fleet expansion directly supports that growth.
Monna Lisa-Class Evolution: High-Capacity Deepwater Vessel
The first ship in the Prysmian cable‑laying vessel expansion program will evolve from the Monna Lisa class. It will measure about 185 m in length and 34 m in breadth. Key features include:
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Three carousels with a total cable capacity of 19,000 metric tons, among the highest in the market
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Bollard pull over 180 metric tons for complex operations
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Ability to perform simultaneous lay and burial of up to four cables with multiple plough types
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State-of-the-art DP3 positioning and seakeeping systems for precise offshore work
Prysmian expects this vessel to enter operation by early 2027. VARD Group, a subsidiary of Fincantieri and a global leader in specialized offshore vessels, will design and build the ship.
Ulisse-Class Evolution: Shallow-Water Specialist
The second vessel, also part of the Prysmian cable‑laying vessel expansion, will evolve from the Ulisse class. It will be about 167 m long and 40 m wide and will focus on shallow‑water and nearshore projects. It will feature:
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Two carousels, including one split into two concentric sections, with a total capacity of 10,000 metric tons
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DP2 positioning and seakeeping systems for accurate cable installation
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An eight‑point mooring system that enables cable laying and burial even in shallow waters and harsh conditions
Prysmian plans to have this vessel operational by the first half of 2025, adding capacity sooner for nearshore and coastal projects.
Green Design and Energy-Efficient Operations
Both ships in the Prysmian cable‑laying vessel expansion will feature advanced environmental technologies. They will include high‑voltage shore connection systems so they can draw clean power from the grid during loading operations. Their diesel generators will support biodiesel blends, reducing emissions. In addition, the deep‑water vessel will use a battery‑hybrid system tailored to its offshore profile, further improving fuel efficiency and lowering environmental impact.