Increased Demand for Cable-Laying Vessels Amid Undersea Infrastructure Attacks

• •Jan De Nul launched the William Thomson cable-laying vessel to meet rising demand.
• •The vessel can install cables at depths of up to 4,000 meters, enhancing offshore grid capabilities.
• •Recent attacks on undersea infrastructure have prompted increased investment in cable-laying technology.

The commercial shipping sector is responding to heightened demand for cable-laying vessels due to recent attacks on undersea infrastructure in the Baltic and near Taiwan. Jan De Nul has launched the William Thomson, designed for large-scale offshore grid and fibre optic cable installations. This vessel, along with its sister ship, has a cargo capacity of 28,000 tonnes and can operate at depths of up to 4,000 meters. The William Thomson will support TenneT’s 2GW offshore grid program, installing over 2,800 kilometers of 525 kV DC cables across four grid connections in the Netherlands and Germany. The vessel is classified as ultra-low emission, with capabilities for biofuel and green methanol operation. The first sister ship, Fleeming Jenkin, was launched in October 2025 and is expected to be operational by late 2026. The increased focus on these vessels highlights the growing importance of securing undersea infrastructure in light of recent cyber threats.