General – Newbuilding
LS Marine Solution from South Korea has announced a major investment of €221 million in a next-generation cable-laying vessel, poised to redefine global standards in submarine power grid construction.
With a cable load capacity of 13,000 tonnes, the new vessel will rank among the top five cable-loading capacities worldwide and will be the largest of its kind in Asia.
The state-of-the-art vessel will be equipped with advanced technology capable of simultaneously laying high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables and optical communication cables. Only three similar high-specification vessels currently operate globally, placing LS Marine Solution at the forefront of innovation in this critical sector.
Submarine cable installation demands precision and reliability, particularly in long-distance and deep-sea environments where minimizing cable joints is essential to prevent seawater infiltration. The vessel’s unique capabilities make it the only viable option for such high-stakes, long-distance cable-laying operations.
“This vessel will have the highest competitiveness among the approximately 20 cable-laying vessels in operation worldwide,” said a representative from LS Marine Solution. “As most of these vessels are concentrated in Europe, our investment marks a significant step in establishing Korea as a key global supply chain hub.”
The investment comes as LS Marine Solution prepares to support Korea’s ‘West Coast HVDC Energy Highway’ and global offshore wind power expansion. The vessel is specifically engineered for HVDC power grid construction, featuring the technical strength to handle long-distance, high-voltage, and deep-water projects with stability and efficiency.
Construction of the vessel is expected to take two years, with operations slated to begin in the first half of 2028. This timeline aligns with the start of production at LS GreenLink’s new submarine cable manufacturing facility in the United States, enabling LS Marine Solution to offer a complete global turnkey solution—from design and production to offshore construction.
Kim Byung-ok, CEO of LS Marine Solution, stated: “This new cable-laying vessel represents a turning point — not only in expanding our operational capabilities but also in strengthening national energy independence and strategic resilience. Together with LS Cable & System, we are fully committed to advancing large-scale offshore wind power projects and ultra-long-distance submarine cable networks at home and abroad.”
