Construction of the cable-laying vessel Althea is progressing with the laying of the keel at the China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard in Shenzhen, marking the official start of hull assembly.
An essential step in laying Althea’s keel
Indeed, the ceremony held on Mazhou Island represents the formal start of the structural phase of the project, a decisive moment in the shipbuilding process. This type of technical event usually defines the pace of production until the final delivery of the ship.
The Althea has been conceived as a specialized submarine cable-laying vessel, intended for operation in offshore energy projects increasingly complex offshore energy projects. The company seeks to strengthen its presence in the subsea solutions segment through this asset.
Advanced capabilities for offshore operations
The vessel will also incorporate advanced cable installation systems, along with optimized storage capacity for large volumes. This is in addition to a DP-2 dynamic positioning system, designed to maintain operational accuracy even in demanding sea conditions.
These features will allow for more efficient cable installation and burial, which is essential for energy interconnection and submarine infrastructure development projects.
Moreover, the development of the Althea responds to an investment strategy aimed at strengthening the company’s technical capabilities in the offshore market. According to Ioannis Togias, CEO of Marine Technology, the vessel is part of a long-term vision focused on operational reliability and adaptation to the evolving energy sector.
The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2027, while construction and assembly work continues at the Chinese shipyard. Further progress on the project is expected in the coming months.
Source and photo: Assogroup