De Meyer NV delivers new configuration of the intertidal cable trencher 'Sunfish' to Jan De Nul.

Two years ago, Jan De Nul Group approached De Meyer with the request to engineer and build a new variation of the intertidal cable trencher Sunfish. 

The scope was clear but challenging: develop a cable trencher that can bury 3 HVDC cables 3,2m below the seabed simultaneously. As the trencher will operate in the protected nature reserve of the German Wadden Sea, special attention was given to minimising weight, ground pressure, and environmental impact. Despite its 170-tonne weight, the machine applies almost 40% less ground pressure than a normal person.

Minimising disturbance to the seabed and preserving its natural stratification were key design requirements. This led to the development of a revolutionary burial tool based on vibration technology.

After 1,5 years of intensive engineering in close collaboration with Jan De Nul Group, fabrication and assembly commenced at our premises in Temse.With Luyckx nv/sa responsible for the drive and control systems, De Meyer for all steel & mechanical works, as well as integration & project management throughout the entire project. 

At the end of January, the Sunfish was delivered to our client as one working machine, resulting once again in spectacular transportation images.

The machine will now undergo testing and final preparations ahead of its first campaign this summer in the German Waddensea, as part of TenneT’s 2GW program.The Sunfish will be transported to the working site by a dedicated deployment pontoon which we’ve engineered together with Jan De Nul.