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Swiss power and automation technology group ABB has ordered a custom-built cable-laying vessel from Kleven shipyard in Norway.

The new ship will be 140 meters long and 30 meters wide and is expected to boost the capacity of ABB’s submarine cable operations while achieving greater efficiency and precision. Delivery is expected in 2017.

“This next-generation vessel incorporating state-of-the-art ABB technologies will be a key differentiator for our high-voltage cable business, enhancing flexibility and execution ability,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division.

“It will also improve operational efficiency and customer focus, supporting profitable growth in line with our Next Level strategy.”

The new ship will feature ABB’s Onboard DC Grid and power distribution solution, and it will use a single DC circuit for ship propulsion to reduce power consumption. The vessel will also be equipped with roll-reduction tanks and the subsea operations will be executed and monitored by a remotely operated vehicle using cameras and sonar, avoiding the need for divers.

The new cable layer will also feature a complete ABB Integrated Automation System and three Azipod propulsion units. Together with an energy storage system for marine applications it will cut fuel consumption by 27 percent and reduce maintenance compared to traditional AC systems, ABB says.

Sensors, monitoring hardware and software will enable data to be sent to shore via a satellite link, to allow the onshore technical support centers to work closely with the ship as part of ABB’s Integrated Marine Operations solution. Advanced advisory software for motion monitoring, forecasting and decision support will also be on board.

Thanks to dynamic positioning technology of the highest class (DP3), the ship will be able to maintain its position with a high precision. ABB says that the vessel is designed in such a way that fire and flooding can be contained and will not compromise positioning and other essential systems.