Jan De Nul's sustainable high-tech vessel protects offshore energy infrastructure

Jan De Nul, a partner in the Smart Delta Resources network, is building a new vessel that protects submarine cables and wind turbine foundations from damage. With this investment, the company is responding to the growing need for safe and reliable offshore energy networks.
The ship, the George W. Goethals, is specially designed to place large boulders on the seabed around vulnerable infrastructure. This protects electricity cables and wind turbine foundations from currents, anchors or sabotage, for example. The ship can transport up to 37,000 tonnes of material and install it at depths of up to 400 metres.
Sustainable and future-oriented
The George W. Goethals is equipped with ultra-low emission technology and engines that run on biofuel and green methanol. Thanks to a hybrid power plant and four electric excavators, the ship significantly reduces its CO₂ emissions. It complies with the strictest European emission standards and demonstrates how sustainability and technological innovation can go hand in hand.
Connections for the energy transition
In addition to this vessel, Jan De Nul is also building two extra-large cable ships capable of installing electricity cables over long distances. These cables are crucial for the efficient transport of renewable energy between regions and countries. In this way, Jan De Nul is contributing to a robust and resilient energy network in Europe and beyond.
Protecting subsea infrastructure is a necessary part of the industrial transition. Thanks to frontrunners such as Jan De Nul, the energy transition at sea is not only possible, but also more sustainable and safer.
Key figures for rock installation vessel
Jan De Nul has decades of experience in protecting subsea infrastructure. This expertise forms the basis for the design of the George W. Goethals, which was developed entirely in-house. With this vessel, the company is strengthening its leading position in the sector.
- Loading capacity: 37,000 tonnes of rock material
- Installation depth: up to 400 metres
- Emission standards: complies with EU Stage V and EURO VI
- Fuels: biofuel and green methanol
- Technology: hybrid power plant (with battery and smart drive technology) and 4 electric excavators
- Third rock installation vessel in Jan De Nul's fleet with > 30,000 tonnes load capacity
More info: New vessel to protect critical subsea infrastructure | Jan De Nul