In a rare case of a European shipbuilding success on the Japanese market, the VARD Group has won an order from Toyo Construction for a cable lay and construction vessel.

Worth more than $200m, the newbuild will be of 150m x 28m main dimensions, designed and equipped with particular reference to the needs of Japan’s growing investment in offshore wind energy. The ship will incorporate a hybrid element in the power arrangements.

The hull will be built at VARD’s Tulcea shipyard in Romania, and transferred to Norway for outfitting and completion by one of the Group’s west coast yards, which is to effect delivery during the second quarter of 2026.