INSIGHT 2|2019

22 | Prysmian Group I N S I G H T NEWVESSEL TO GROWFURTHER IN THE SUBMARINE The new cable laying Leonardo da Vinci , the most advanced in the world market, will help Prysmian Group to grow even further in the strategic business of the offshore wind. Following completion of the design and engineering phases, steel cutting began early in 2019 and the traditional keel laying ceremony has already taken place. The 171-metres vessel with a 34-metres beam represents an overall investment of more than €170 million and is being built by Vard Norway SA, part of Fincantieri Group, at its shipyard in Tulcea (Romania). The project is progressing on schedule and by the end of February 2020 the engines will be installed prior to the launch and the transfer to Norway. “ Leonardo Da Vinci”, the record breaking cable layer presented at Copenaghen’s “Wind Europe Offshore 2019 Conference & Exhibition” is a key asset to reap new growth opportunities in the offshore wind business. Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects at Prysmian Group, explains that the Submarine business has grown strongly in Europe and can now successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean on the back of its technological supremacy. The cable industry is always on the move, and Prysmian Group is always taking the lead, constantly innovating to anticipate the needs of the fast- expanding market of submarine cables like Europe, where the submarine cable market has grown thanks to interconnections and offshore wind farms, supported by renewable energy trends, and markets with high- growth potential such as America. With three of the most advanced cable-laying vessels already in operation – Giulio Verne, Cable Enterprise and Ulisse – we’re now launching Leonardo da Vinci, a fourth that will dramatically reinforce the fleet. FOCUS ON This new strategic asset will consolidate the Group’s leadership and boost the capability of our submarine cable operations. Hakan Ozmen, EVP Projects at Prysmian Group The new flagship will be the most efficient cable layer in the world , and will support the Group’s long-term growth in the submarine cable installation business, strengthening our leadership in the interconnection and offshore wind farmmarkets.