Toyo Construction Contracts VARD for One Hybrid Cable Lay and Construction Vessel

VARD is pleased to announce they have signed a contract for the design and construction of a highly customized state-of-the-art hybrid power cable lay and construction vessel for the leading Japanese construction company Toyo Construction Co.Ltd.

The value of the contract is more than 200 million US dollars.

Toyo Construction is a Japanese general construction company that operates civil and architecture construction businesses both domestically and internationally, and is particularly good at offshore construction, owning a variety of working vessels and constructing a wide range of projects such as container terminals, marine airports. In the new medium-term Business plan issued in fiscal 2023, we position the offshore wind business as a growth driver and aim for the top share in offshore construction in the future offshore wind business.

VARD 9 15 design

The hybrid power cable lay, and construction vessel will be of VARD 9 15 design, a design especially developed for the need of the customer to cater for the growing Japanese offshore windfarm market, as well as to operate worldwide. It will have an optimal hull design to suit the natural and construction conditions in Japan, allowing it to be used in both shallow waters and deep waters for floating offshore wind power generation and DC power transmission projects. She will be able to carry out construction work at a high rate of operation in a wide range of ocean areas.

The vessel is prepared for Inter-array, HVAC export and interconnector cable lay as well as cable burial operation and construction work.

Suitable for multi-purpose applications

The tailor-made vessel is 150 m long and a beam of 28 m with cable carrying capacity of 9000 tons. In addition to being used as a self-propelled cable-laying vessel, the vessel has a high-performance crane and a large deck area, making it suitable for multi-purpose applications such as ground-based foundation work, floating offshore wind mooring work, and marine resource-related projects. The vessel will also have a 4-point mooring system and helideck installed.

The latest sustainable technologies

The vessel is developed with the latest sustainable technologies to reduce the carbon footprint during operations and port mooring. It will have a large battery pack, a shore supply connection, and a state-of-the-art energy management system. This sustainable set-up will result in higher energy efficiency reducing CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions.

Deliveries from VARD’s specialized companies

The Group’s high technology subsidiary Vard Electro is also involved in the project through deliveries of SeaQ equipment and solutions, including SeaQ Power with energy storage systems, switchboards, and shore connection,

When it comes to communication, Vard Electro is delivering the network, entertainment - and communication systems on board.

Vard Interiors will deliver modern Interior solutions and green HVAC R system aiming to create a good living and working environment onboard the vessel.

Long experience as integrated shipbuilder

VARD CEO, Alberto Maestrini, said the contract with Toyo Constructions gives new opportunities for VARD:

“We are happy and proud to welcome Toyo Constructions as a customer in VARD. Being selected as their shipbuilder of choice shows that we are on top of the market and the evolving demands. With world leading design and engineering teams, VARD partners with customers to explore new vessels and solutions. We are drawing on our long experience as integrated shipbuilders to make pioneering ideas sustainable investments and make the maritime opportunities possible. We look forward to the collaboration with Toyo Constructions.”

The hull will be built at Vard Shipyards Romania in Tulcea and be outfitted and delivered from one of VARD’s shipyards in Norway in Q2 2026.