ClassNK grants General Design Approval for long-distance cable-Laying vessel concept supporting Japan’s future HVDC subsea transmission network.
Japan’s NYK Line has completed the basic design for a new cable-laying vessel intended to support the construction of a long-distance subsea direct current transmission network around Japan. The design received General Design Approval from ClassNK on Feb. 13.
The vessel is being developed as part of a four-company consortium that includes Sumitomo Electric Industries, Furukawa Electric, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. The initiative is supported by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) under its Research and Development Project for Offshore Wind Power Generation Cost Reduction (RIGHT).
This is part of NEDO’s RIGHT project, which aims to develop high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies by multiplexing direct current transmission lines from wind power generation, by ensuring proper protection control and power flow control for reliable and efficient transmission . Together with Sumitomo Electric and with the cooperation of Furukawa Electric, NYK has been responsible for developing the cable-laying vessel.
With the completion of the vessel’s basic design and the acquisition of GDA from ClassNK, NYK Line has achieved its initial objectives within this NEDO-supported project. Moving forward, NYK will continue contributing to the realisation of a decarbonised society through the advancement of technologies essential for subsea DC transmission.
Long-Distance Subsea Cable-Laying Vessel History
・2022: NYK was subcontracted by Sumitomo Electric to conduct the initial conceptual design of a self-propelled cable-laying vessel suitable for Japan’s unique conditions for NEDO’s ” Research and Development of a Multi-purpose and Multi-terminal HIGH Voltage Direct Current Transmission System (RIGHT Project)”
・2023: NYK was newly selected by NEDO for a public solicitation for “Development of construction methods for the installation of cable protecting system, etc. and the development of new cable-laying vessels, etc.” of “Research and Development of a Multi-purpose and Multi-terminal HIGH Voltage Direct Current Transmission System (RIGHT Project)”. NYK began designing a self-propelled cable-laying vessel in cooperation with Sumitomo Electric.
・2024: NYK obtained the AiP from ClassNK for the design concept of the vessel.
・2026: NYK will proceed with the detailed vessel design and aim to obtain basic design approval from ClassNK
