Chinese shipbuilder CIMC Raffles has signed a construction contract with Dutch marine contractor Van Oord for a second multi-fuel subsea rock installation vessel (SRI), following the exercise of an option clause agreed in July 2025.

The contract, signed on 12 January, follows a 1+1 vessel agreement between the two companies that included an option for Van Oord to order an additional vessel within a specified timeframe.

The vessel will be classed by Bureau Veritas and will measure 199 metres in length with a beam of 32.2 metres. It will feature DP2 dynamic positioning capability and a rock-carrying capacity of 35,000 tonnes.

The design incorporates multi-fuel engines capable of running on biofuel and methanol, along with a DC-grid system with battery storage, an energy-efficient hull design, and rock handling system. According to CIMC Raffles, these features will enable a reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The cooperation between CIMC Raffles and Van Oord resumed in 2021 after a ten-year interval. In January 2025, CIMC Raffles delivered the wind turbine installation vessel Boreas to Van Oord.

CIMC Raffles stated that Van Oord's decision to exercise the option was based on the shipbuilder's technical capabilities, project execution, and the vessel design's market competitiveness.

The company said it will continue to focus on technological innovation and deliver vessels and services to the global maritime and offshore industry, while promoting the development of green and efficient offshore engineering equipment.