Jan De Nul Ordered New Trenching Support Vessel
The vessel features methanol-ready engines to support increasing global subsea cable installation demands.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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Jan De Nul has placed an order for a new trenching support vessel, expanding its fleet of subsea cable installation and protection hardware. The new ship is designed to bury subsea cables at depths of up to five metres.
Why it matters
The order reflects an infrastructure race to bury subsea cables deeper, a critical necessity for protecting high-capacity data and energy transmission lines. This development comes as the company manages five additional cable installation vessels currently under construction.
The new vessel is capable of burying subsea cables to a depth of 5 metres. The design utilizes ultra-low-emission engine technology prepared for future methanol operation.
The players
Jan De Nul
A maritime infrastructure specialist focused on dredging, offshore energy, and subsea cable installation.
The details
The vessel functions as a support platform for subsea trenchers, which are remote-operated systems used to excavate the seabed for cable protection. By using ultra-low-emission vessel technology, the ship attempts to reduce the carbon footprint associated with heavy offshore marine work. The engines are built with a methanol-ready architecture, allowing for a transition from traditional marine fuels to methanol as the supply chain for low-carbon fuels matures.
Timeline
March 2026: Jan De Nul ordered the Isambard K. Brunel.
September 21, 2026: The company announced the order for the new sister vessel.
The Tech Race
The order follows the design specifications of the Isambard K. Brunel, building out a standardized class of specialized trenching vessels. This expansion positions Jan De Nul to meet the rising global demand for deeper and more secure subsea cable protection infrastructure.
The vessel will support global subsea cable projects, directly impacting the deployment speed and security of undersea network lines. While the ship is currently in the order phase, the integration of methanol-ready propulsion reflects shifting industry standards for environmental compliance.
The takeaway
The move signals a long-term commitment to upgrading offshore cable protection using lower-emission maritime technology. Watch for updates on the construction of the five vessels currently in progress to see how quickly this specialized capacity comes online.
Further reading
Explore the latest infrastructure developments in Data Centers.
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