Palfinger Marine has been contracted to supply a comprehensive equipment package for a new cable-laying vessel being built by Vard for Prysmian. This marks the third Prysmian cable layer to be outfitted with a full suite of Palfinger Marine solutions.
Following previous orders for the Leonardo da Vinci and Monna Lisa cable-laying vessels, Palfinger Marine will provide deck equipment and lifesaving appliances (LSA) for the latest vessel. The package includes a large A-frame for plough operations, an active heave-compensated lifting/towing winch, a towing winch, a quadrant/auxiliary winch, two auxiliary winches, and a towing roller.
The vessel will also feature access equipment such as a tension elevator with hatch cover, two mooring platforms, two provision platforms, and two ROV doors with L-hatches. Additionally, the LSA package includes two lifeboats, two fast rescue boats with davits, two life raft davits, and six fenders.
The new vessel, designed as the Vard 9 18, is an evolution based on previous Prysmian vessels. It measures 626.5'x111.5' and will incorporate advanced cable installation solutions. It will have three carousels with a total capacity exceeding 19,000 tons, making it one of the highest cable loading capacity vessels in the industry. It will also feature advanced DP3 positioning and seakeeping systems.
"We are honored to be selected once again and to continue serving as a major supplier for the third cable-laying vessel for Prysmian," said Klaus Schreiber, vice president of sales & service marine and special solutions at Palfinger. "This demonstrates our position as a reliable and leading supplier of mission-critical equipment for large and advanced vessels of this kind."
The ship is expected to enter commercial operation in early 2027.
