Second trenching vessel builds on Jan De Nul’s confidence in Ulstein’s customised subsea vessel platform
Jan De Nul has exercised an option for a second trenching vessel based on the customised vessel design developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, further strengthening the collaboration between the two companies.
The decision builds on Jan De Nul’s earlier selection of the customised Ulstein design and further strengthens the collaboration between the two companies.
Developed from a proven subsea vessel platform, the design has been tailored to support the demanding requirements of offshore trenching projects while offering flexibility for future operational needs.
The vessel has been developed to support extensive subsea trenching operations, including the installation and protection of subsea power cables, pipelines and telecommunication infrastructure. With substantial deck space and deadweight capacity, the design provides a robust platform for efficient operations in offshore environments.
“We chose Ulstein for the construction of our new trenching support vessels because of their proven vessel design, which provides a strong foundation to integrate all of our operational requirements. We placed the order for the first vessel in March 2026, our Isambard K. Brunel, and we are now adding an identical vessel to it. The collaboration with Ulstein allows us to combine reliability with tailored solutions for our operations. We look forward to putting both state-of-the-art vessels to work and further strengthening our capabilities in subsea cable installation, fully adapted to the needs of our clients and crew,” Jan Van de Velde, Director Newbuilding and Engineering at Jan De Nul
Rolf Petter Almli, Sales Manager at Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, comments:We highly appreciate Jan De Nul’s continued confidence in Ulstein and our vessel design solutions. The exercise of this option is a strong endorsement of the work carried out by both organisations and demonstrates the value of combining proven design platforms with customer-specific capabilities.
The vessel design is engineered around a modular concept that can support a broad range of offshore activities. For Jan De Nul, the vessel has been specifically configured for subsea trenching operations, ensuring precision, operational efficiency and adaptability. The ULSTEIN X-BOW® hull form contributes to improved seakeeping performance, enhanced onboard comfort and reduced fuel consumption.
Like the first vessel, the new unit will be equipped to support Jan De Nul’s ambitions for reducing environmental impact. The vessel design accommodates the company’s Ultra-Low Emission vessel concept (ULEv), including advanced emission-reduction technologies and the capability to operate on biofuel and green methanol.
The option exercise marks another milestone in the relationship between Jan De Nul and Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. By selecting a second vessel on the same design platform, Jan De Nul reinforces its commitment to efficient, future-oriented offshore solutions while building on a design concept tailored to its operational requirements.
