Subsea engineering company Asso.subsea has officially started the construction of its new DP-2 cable-laying vessel, named Althea. The steel cutting ceremony took place on November 5 at the China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard facility on Mazhou Island, Shenzhen.
Future cable-laying operations on the Althea ship
The project marks a step forward in Asso.subsea’s global strategy to strengthen its fleet of specialized subsea cable installation vessels. Designed as a multifunctional asset, the Althea will operate in both deepwater and highly complex coastal environments, integrating advanced DP-2 class dynamic positioning technology.
The construction is being carried out by China Merchants Heavy Industry, a renowned shipyard with expertise in offshore vessels. This choice reinforces Asso.subsea’s commitment to consolidate technical solutions adapted to the current challenges of the maritime industry and offshore wind energy.
In addition to the DP-2 system, the Althea will integrate a set of advanced automation systems that optimize cable installation under demanding conditions. This feature responds to the increasing demands for precision and safety in large-scale projects linked to the energy transition.
With a projected delivery date of 2027, the vessel will expand Asso.subsea’s operational capacity in the field of international subsea cable installation. According to Nikolaos Anastasiou, project manager, the start of construction represents “the tangible beginning of a new stage in the company’s technical evolution.”
The vessel has been designed to facilitate operations in both offshore and onshore wind farms. offshore wind farms and intercontinental fiber optic links and subsea power transmission systems. This versatility positions the Althea as a key component in the execution of sustainable energy projects in the coming years.
The Asso.subsea team, together with CMHI’s technical staff, is already working on the next stages of the construction schedule, with the objective of delivering a unit capable of meeting the new standards of the marine-submarine sector.
Source and photo: Asso.subsea
