Toyo Secures Deal with VARD for Tailored Hybrid Cable Layer

VARD, a Norwegian shipbuilder and subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, has officially inked a $200 million agreement with Toyo Construction, a Japanese construction company. The contract covers the planning and construction of an advanced hybrid cable lay and construction vessel.

Based on the VARD 9 15 design, this vessel has been customized to meet the growing demands of the Japanese offshore wind market while preserving its capacity for global operations. The hull design is meticulously optimized to facilitate operations in shallow and deep waters, supporting floating offshore wind power generation and DC power transmission initiatives. The vessel is further armed to perform a range of functions, including inter-array and HVAC export cable laying, interconnector cable laying, cable burial, and construction work.

With dimensions spanning 150 meters in length and a beam of 28 meters, this vessel stands out with an impressive cable-carrying capacity of 9000 tons. Beyond its core role as a self-propelled cable-laying vessel, it incorporates a high-performance crane and an expansive deck area, rendering it resourceful for multiple applications including ground-based foundation work, floating offshore wind mooring, and marine resource-related projects. The vessel is further projected to be prepared with a 4-point mooring system and a helideck for better operational capabilities.

Incorporating pioneering technologies to minimize its environmental impact both during operations and port mooring, the vessel integrates a substantial battery pack, a shore supply connection, and a state-of-the-art energy management system. These advancements contribute to heightened energy efficiency and a noteworthy reduction in emissions, including CO2, NOx, and SOx.

According to Torgeir Haugan, SVP Sales & Marketing at VARD, "The cable layer is a modern and complex vessel built to high standards according to Japanese regulations, primarily for the Japanese offshore windfarm and international market. This presents a unique opportunity for both Toyo and VARD to establish themselves as key players in the Japanese windfarm market."

Another subsidiary of the VARD group, Vard Electro, is also partaking in the project by dispensing SeaQ equipment and solutions. These include the SeaQ Power with energy storage systems, shore connections, and switchboards. 

Specializing in offshore construction, Toyo Construction is a Japanese company with expertise in varied projects, ranging from container terminals to marine airports. As outlined in their latest medium-term business plan, the company is strategically positioning itself to emerge as an expert in the offshore wind sector, aligning with their broader growth objectives. 

"We are very pleased to place an order with VARD to build a self-propelled cable-laying vessel, which will be Toyo Construction's largest work vessel. We expect that VARD's world-class design and engineering capabilities will enable the vessel to play a critical role in the construction of offshore wind power generation facilities in Japan."

- Haruhisa Obayashi, President, Toyo Construction.