The cable loading capacity of the cable layer is the key indicator of submarine cable laying project, and the capacity and efficiency of the cable laying equipment become an important factor restricting the operation efficiency of the cable layers. It firstly introduces the main application of the cable layers, and analyzes the state-of-the-art of the cable layer both at home and abroad. The technical characteristics of the large cable layers are summarized in the ship type and main dimensions, the operation mode and main performance by the investigation of the state-of-the-art of the foreign cable layers. The design plans of the two 5 000 tonnage cable layers that are separately used for the offshore and seagoing area are presented to study the main parameter, operation system and capacity of both ships. Finally, the development of the large cable layers is prospected to preliminarily discuss the four development directions of the large cable layers.