China's largest cable-laying vessel completes its trial voyage in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on May 31. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq] 

China's largest cable-laying vessel successfully completed its maiden voyage in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on May 31.

The vessel is 108.6 meters long and 37.2 meters wide, with a displacement of 24,000 metric tons, a designed draft of 6.5 meters, and a maximum cable loading capacity of 10,000 tons. It can meet the loading requirements for 75 kilometers of three-core 220 kV AC submarine cables or 120 kilometers of DC submarine cables.

It is capable of deep-sea cable laying and maintenance operations, utilizing DC electric propulsion to maximize power efficiency and adhere to environmental standards. Employing dynamic positioning for laying, it can operate in severe conditions with up to Beaufort 4 and sea state 10. Equipped with precise navigation systems, it is also capable of highly accurate cable laying, enhancing the quality of China's marine power transmission equipment and technology.

Following the successful trial voyage, the vessel will soon be put into service, undertaking tasks such as submarine cable construction for offshore wind farms, interconnection and power supply between islands, and cable maintenance.

It will serve as a key player in the exploration of domestic and Southeast Asian offshore wind power markets, expanding its cable laying operations from China to coastal countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and contributing to the global energy transition towards green and low-carbon utilization.