New Cable Layer to Feature Seawater Cooling

Norwegian VARD will incorporate a hull-integrated seawater cooling system for a cable laying vessel the shipbuilder is designing and constructing for energy and telecom cable systems firm Prysmian Group.

Ålesund-based Hydroniq Coolers – formerly named Sperre Coolers – said it has been contracted to deliver its Hydroniq Rack seawater cooling solution that will be integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel. The manufacturer has not disclosed the value of the contract.

“This is a cutting edge-edge vessel that is intended to be the most capable cable layer in its market. High-end technology specially designed for advanced subsea operations is coupled with a reduced environmental footprint. As such, our Hydroniq Rack marine cooling system is a good fit for the vessel as it is the most energy efficient and maintenance friendly seawater cooling system around,” said Inge Bøen, CEO of Hydroniq Coolers. 

Marine cooling systems are utilized to reduce temperatures in the ships’ engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater. According to Hydroniq Coolers, its Hydroniq Rack seawater cooler offers several operational and economic advantages, including a simplified and short pipeline for seawater and has very low pressure loss which reduces energy consumption for seawater pumps and thus lower fuel consumption.

“Our Rack marine cooling system will be specially designed for this cable layer, ensuring that we take up as little weight and space as possible and reduce overhaul downtime to a minimum. This, in combination with maintenance requirements close to zero, cuts operating expenditure significantly, which enables the end user to operate a much more profitable vessel,” Bøen said.

Hydroniq Coolers said it will deliver its seawater cooling system to Vard Brattvaag in the first quarter of 2020.

The newbuild cable layer is designed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway, and the hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. The vessel is scheduled for delivery from Vard Brattvaag in Norway, in the fourth quarter if 2020.

The vessel will features deepwater installation capabilities for depths of more than 2,000 meters and high cable loading capacity in large cable rotating platforms. The cable layer is developed to perform complex installation operations, supported by a variety of burial systems, including heavy duty plows, and state-of-the-art positioning and seakeeping systems. With a length of 172 meters, and a beam of 34 meters, the vessel will be able to accommodate a crew of 120 persons.