The steel-cutting ceremony for Althea was held today, November 5, at the CMHI shipyard on Mazhou Island in Shenzhen, China.
“The first steel cut for Althea marks the true beginning of an exciting journey,” said Project Manager Nikolaos Anastasiou. “This vessel, with its advanced DP-2 system and unique shallow-water capabilities, is purpose-built to meet the evolving challenges of the global offshore market. It represents our commitment to delivering innovative, reliable, and versatile solutions for the most complex subsea projects.”
Asso.subsea first announced in January that it had signed the shipbuilding contract for the construction of the new cable-laying vessel (CLV), with delivery scheduled for 2027.
The Althea will feature a 12,000-ton cable capacity divided into one, two, or three carousel configurations, allowing for efficient installation of long or bundled cable sections. It will be equipped with a hybrid diesel-battery power generation plant, methanol-ready engines capable of operating on biofuels, and systems compliant with IMO Tier III NOx emission standards. The vessel will also include cold ironing capabilities and multiple energy-saving technologies.
Upon delivery, Althea will join Ariadne and Atalanti in Asso.subsea’s advanced cable-laying fleet, further strengthening the company’s position in the global subsea infrastructure market.