This is Prysmian Monna Lisa

In 2021, the sister ship Prysmian Leonardo Da Vinci was delivered by Vard Brattvaag. The contract for building the new vessel was signed in November 2022, and by February 2025 she was delivered—again in record time.

The hull was constructed at VARD’s own yard in Tulcea, Romania, before being towed to Søviknes for completion.

The vessel was designed by Vard Design, using the 9 04 design platform.

Prysmian Monna Lisa will join an unrivalled fleet of cable-laying vessels. These are equipped with a variety of high-tech burial tools—capable of operating in everything from soft soil to rocky seabeds—giving Prysmian a unique position in terms of project versatility and flexibility.

Prysmian has invested approximately €850 million in expanding its fleet and installation equipment since 2018. By 2028, the company will have eight cable-laying vessels in operation—far more than any competitor.

The cable-laying vessel has a total capacity of 17,000 tonnes of cable across two carousels—one holding 10,000 tonnes and the other 7,000 tonnes. It typically sails either fully loaded with 10,000 tonnes in the larger carousel or 7,000 tonnes in both.

The vessel performs three operations simultaneously: trenching, laying, and re-burying cables in a single pass. This reduces the need for additional vessels and significantly lowers the total CO₂ emissions associated with the projects it undertakes.

The ship’s engines are ready for biodiesel, which alone contributes to reduced emissions. Combined with SCR technology, a 3 MWh battery pack (twice the size of the sister ship’s), and the ability to connect to high-voltage shore power while loading, total CO₂ emissions are significantly reduced.

Prysmian Monna Lisa can accommodate up to 120 people on board. The shipowners have prioritised crew comfort with spacious cabins, generous recreation areas, and a mess hall larger than the dining room of an average hotel.

The ship is equipped with a high-end DP3 system and has a bollard pull of 200 tonnes, enabling it to lay cable at depths of up to 3,000 metres. She also features two enclosed hangars for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), one on each side of the vessel.

Prysmian is a world leader in the energy and telecom cable and systems industry.

With nearly 150 years of experience, sales exceeding €15 billion, approximately 30,000 employees in 50 countries, and 108 manufacturing plants, the company is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and offers an extensive range of products, services, technologies, and expertise.

"Congratulations to Vard and Prysmian with "Prysmian Monna Lisa" winning Skipsrevyen’s Ship of the Year 2025!", says Leif Gunnar Sandvik - Business Development Manager at RINA Norway-

"We at RINA are proud and grateful to have collaborated with both the shipyard and the vessel owner on this remarkable project", he adds.

"The “Prysmian Monna Lisa” is a highly sophisticated DP3 cable laying vessel featuring hybrid power technology — a true testament to innovation and engineering excellence. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this achievement. We extend our best wishes to the vessel and its crew for continued success and safe voyages in the future. "

Equipment:

Main diesel engines (8V31 series) and the SCR system are delivered by Wärtsilä Finland Oy. Power and automation systems are supplied by Vard Electro. The propeller system and three azimuth thrusters are supplied by ABB.

The radiator-cooled emergency generator is provided by Pon Power.

The dynamic positioning system, joystick controls, and remote thruster and propulsion control systems are delivered by Kongsberg Maritime. Kongsberg Maritime CM has also delivered the anchor and mooring winches.

Bridge and engine room consoles are supplied by Vard Electro, which also handled the electrical installation.

The vibration monitoring system is delivered by IKM Instrutek.

Palfinger Marine Equipment has supplied a large A-frame for plough operations, an active heave-compensated lifting/towing winch, a towing winch, a combined quadrant/auxiliary winch, two auxiliary winches, a towing roller with limiting pins, two hangar travelling cranes, two tension elevators with hatch covers, two mooring platforms, two provision platforms, two ROV doors with L-hatches, and lifeboats and fenders.

MOB boats and davits are from Maritime Partner. Life rafts, life jackets, and other safety equipment are supplied by Viking Life-Saving Equipment. Boat landing facilities are provided by Aukra Maritime. The helicopter deck is delivered by Maritime Products.

AHC knuckle-boom offshore cranes are supplied by MacGregor Norway.

The anti-heeling system (1,500 m³) is supplied by Framo.

Accommodation and HVAC are delivered by Vard Interior AS. Bridge windows, side scuttles, and additional windows are from Bohamet. The sanitary discharge system is supplied by Jets Vacuum. The central heating and hot water boiler is provided by Ulmatec Pyro. Floodlights, spotlights, interior lighting and technical lighting is supplied by Glamox.

Alfa Laval Nordic has delivered the heat recovery system, FO and LO separators, rack coolers, and freshwater evaporators, in addition to the ballast water treatment system and bilge water separator. The pump package is supplied by Allweiler.

Personnel and provision elevators are delivered by Hans Lutz Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co.

Starting air compressors are supplied by Sperre Industri, while working air compressors are from TMC Compressors. The reverse osmosis plant is delivered by Enwa Water Technology.

ICAF systems and zinc or aluminium anodes are supplied by MPE Cathodic. The impressed current cathodic protection system is from Cathelco Ltd.

Survitec Fire Solutions Poland has provided the sprinkler system, water mist system, and fat fryer extinguishers in the galley. Galley equipment is supplied by Beha-Hedo.

The vessel's paint is delivered by International Paint Limited.

The vessel is classed by RINA and sails under the Italian flag.