Steady state mode-locked operation of a neodymium laser operating on the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(13/2) transition around 1.3 mu m is achieved for the first time using transmitting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) saturable absorber. The Nd:YVO4 laser cavity was optimized for large fundamental mode volume generating an average power of 0.8 W at a repetition rate of 127 MHz in a stable train of 16.5 ps long pulses