Jan De Nul Group has ordered two 6,000 ton Subsea Rock Installation (SRI) vessels from AVIC Weihai shipyard in Weihai, China.
The vessels will be able to install rock at depths up to about 600 m by means of a flexible fall pipe. An inclined fall pipe will enable accurate rock installation around structures such as offshore wind turbine foundations and Oil & Gas platforms.
The vessels will also act as a support vessel for a subsea trencher, for the burial of cables. In addition, a cable carrousel with related equipment can be installed on board, for placing cables on the seabed.
To enable these functions, the diesel-electric vessel is provided with a DP2 system. An accommodation for 60 persons, all in single cabins offers comfortable living space for the crew, specialized personnel and client representatives. The vessel complies with the IMO Code for Special Purpose Ships.
The two sister vessels will be delivered in 2017.