China has officially unveiled the Huaxia Dejing 108, a cutting-edge multi-functional submarine cable-laying vessel, marking a major leap forward in its marine engineering capabilities. Delivered by Dayang Offshore Equipment in Taixing, Jiangsu province, on Jan 16, the vessel represents the pinnacle of domestic shipbuilding technology for offshore wind farm construction.
Huaxia Dejing 108, a cutting-edge submarine cable-laying vessel, is delivered in Taixing on Jan 16. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]
With a full displacement of 35,000 metric tons and a cable-loading capacity of 15,000 tons, the Huaxia Dejing 108 is designed for autonomous navigation across unlimited maritime zones. It can operate at depths up to 3,000 meters, catering to global deep-sea and open-ocean wind farm projects.
The vessel's coaxial dual-reel system — a domestic first — enables the simultaneous laying of multiple cables, minimizing environmental disruption and enhancing operational efficiency.
Zhao Changhai, representative of the operator Dejing Group, emphasized its role in transporting, installing, and maintaining submarine cables for offshore wind farms and transnational telecom projects. Chief designer Wang Haozhao highlighted its strategic importance in China's marine engineering fleet, addressing a critical shortage of specialized vessels domestically.
The launch aligns with China's push to expand its offshore wind capacity to 360 GW by 2035, up from 180 GW at present. State Power Investment Corporation, a global leader in clean energy, praised the vessel as representing a new milestone in the advancement of domestically produced deep-sea equipment.
As offshore wind projects migrate toward deeper waters and larger-scale clusters, the Huaxia Dejing 108 is poised to play a pivotal role in China's transition to becoming a marine energy powerhouse.