On February 13, NYK completed the basic design of a cable-laying vessel (“the vessel”) being developed for the construction of a long-distance subsea direct current (DC) transmission network off Japan and obtained General Design Approval (“GDA”)* from ClassNK for the vessel’s basic design.

NYK is participating in a four-company consortium with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (“Sumitomo Electric”), Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (“Furukawa Electric”), and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. as part of a NEDO-sponsored project to develop advanced cable protection methods and specialized cable-laying vessels. This is part of NEDO’s RIGHT project, which aims to develop high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies by multiplexing direct current transmission lines from wind power generation, by ensuring proper protection control and power flow control for reliable and efficient transmission . Together with Sumitomo Electric and with the cooperation of Furukawa Electric, NYK has been responsible for developing the cable-laying vessel.

With the completion of the vessel’s basic design and the acquisition of GDA from ClassNK, NYK has achieved its initial objectives within this NEDO-supported project. Moving forward, NYK will continue contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society through the advancement of technologies essential for subsea DC transmission.

・2022: NYK was subcontracted by Sumitomo Electric to conduct the initial conceptual design of a self-propelled cable-laying vessel suitable for Japan's unique conditions for NEDO's RIGHT Project.
・2023: NYK was newly selected by NEDO through a public solicitation for the RIGHT project’s "Development of Methods for Attaching Cable Protective Tubes and Laying Cables, As Well As the Foundational Technologies Development for New Cable Laying Vessels.” NYK began designing a self-propelled cable-laying vessel in cooperation with Sumitomo Electric.
・2024: NYK obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for the design concept of the cable-laying vessel.
・2026: NYK completed the basic design of the vessel and obtained GDA from ClassNK.


*General Design Approval (GDA)
A scheme for the preliminary review of vessel designs — prior to a construction decision — based on existing regulations, including international conventions and class rules. GDA certification helps prevent rework during ship construction and enhances the efficiency and speed of subsequent design reviews.