Jan De Nul Group has reached an important milestone in the construction of its newest XL cable-laying vessel, Fleeming Jenkin. The vessel has left the shipyard for extensive sea trials, marking the final test phase before her first major offshore assignment.
The trials will put the vessel through her paces in real-world operating conditions, testing everything that cannot be fully validated alongside the quay — from performance and manoeuvrability to the complex technical systems on board.
With a loading capacity of 28,000 tonnes, Fleeming Jenkin is the largest cable-laying vessel of her kind. She is designed to install subsea cables that bring offshore energy ashore and connect electricity grids over long distances.
A comprehensive sea trial programme
More than 100 test procedures and over 2,000 individual checks will confirm the vessel’s operational readiness. The programme covers performance, manoeuvrability, onboard systems and the integration of key technical equipment.
For the teams involved, the sea trials mark the moment when months of construction, commissioning and preparation culminate in a decisive offshore test.
Technical teams breathe life into the vessel
A total of 165 people are taking part in the trials, including 141 shipyard specialists and 24 Jan De Nul colleagues. Together, they are verifying that Fleeming Jenkin is ready to perform safely and efficiently on her first sea assignment.
“The sea trials are a special moment for everyone who has contributed to this project," says Pieterjan Storme, Senior Technical Superintendent at Jan De Nul. You can literally see all the hard work of the past months and years coming together.”
A new generation of offshore installation vessels
Following successful completion of the sea trials, Fleeming Jenkin will be ready for delivery and her first major assignment within TenneT’s 2 GW programme. Her twin vessel, William Thomson, is also on schedule and is expected to follow soon.
Together, both vessels strengthen Jan De Nul’s offshore cable installation capacity and support the connection of offshore energy production to onshore electricity grids.
Images: Jan De Nul
