SBSS takes delivery on cable barge
By:
Tom Russell
30/10/2020
SBSS
Submarine Systems (SBSS)
has completed sea trials and taken delivery of Fu Yong 6, a 5,500t
power cable installation and maintenance barge, which is on long-term charter
from Zhoushan Yongbo Shipping.
On 16th October 2020, the naming and delivery ceremony for Fu Yong 6 was
held at the Zhoushan Huafeng yard, where the ex-transportation barge was
converted into a multi-purpose cable lay barge.
Fu Yong 6 is a multi-purpose cable lay barge equipped with a 5,500t capacity
cable carousel system with high capacity caterpillar track tensioners and
a 6-point mooring system. The barge was purposely modified by SBSS in 2020,
to deliver power cable installation and maintenance works. The barge is
designed with grounding capability.
SBSS will target the shallow water (up to 100 metres) high-voltage export
cable installation market. The barge is also capable of carrying out shallow
water Pre Lay Shore End operations in the telecommunications sector. Fu
Yong 6 is equipped with Longli jetting sledge powered by high capacity
submersible pumps. In the delivery configuration, the Longli sledge will
achieve a burial depth of 3.3metres.
Mr Wufeng Feng, the Chairman of SBSS, gave the opening speech, in which
he said: “SBSS was established in 1995 along with the significant development
of Chinese submarine systems. In the past 25 years, the Chinese and
British shareholders have worked closely to position SBSS as the leading
provider of submarine cable installation and maintenance solutions both
in fibre optic and power cable industry.”
SBSS Managing Director Mr Simon Hibberd added: “This year, SBSS is
celebrating 25 years of business as a service provider in the submarine
cable industry. Over these 25 years, we have owned, managed, operated and
chartered a variety of cable installation and cable maintenance platforms,
all of which have been successful in delivering a high quality of service
to our diverse customer base. Today is the start of a new chapter for SBSS
as we embark on a 36-month program of work specifically in the Chinese
windfarm market, installing and deep- burying cables in the East and South
China Seas utilizing the barge, and equipment, you will see today.”
On 29th October 2020, Fu Yong 6 completed 12 days of sea trials, which
saw all of her onboard equipment thoroughly tested. The sea trials
also included function and burial testing of the subsea cable trencher
“Water Dragon”, manufactured and owned by CRRC SMD.
