LS Marine Solution Invests in New Cable Laying Vessel to Expand Operations
South Korean subsea cable installation company LS Marine Solution has announced a significant investment of KRW 345.8 billion (approximately €221 million) in a state-of-the-art cable laying vessel (CLV) with a load capacity of 13,000 tons. This decision comes as the company looks to expand its orders for large-scale HVDC and offshore wind projects, both domestically and internationally, including projects in Europe and North America.
The new CLV is scheduled to go into service in the first half of 2028, positioning it as one of the world’s top five vessels in terms of cable loading capacity and the largest in Asia. It will also be Korea’s only specialized HVDC installation vessel, highlighting LS Marine Solution’s commitment to technological advancement and industry leadership.
Designed as a versatile vessel, the CLV will be capable of simultaneously laying subsea HVDC cables and optical cables, making it a rare and valuable asset in the global market. This capability aligns with LS Marine Solution’s strategy to offer a comprehensive turnkey system encompassing design, production, and construction, in collaboration with the LS GreenLink subsea cable factory in the US.
According to LS Marine Solution, the investment in the new installation vessel is aimed at strengthening its technological capabilities to support the “West Coast HVDC Energy Highway” project. This large-scale grid connection initiative, proposed to be built in South Korea by 2040, aims to transmit 20 GW of offshore wind energy to key industrial areas. The CLV will play a crucial role in the project, being the only domestic vessel capable of long-distance, continuous cable laying.
With the construction of the West Coast HVDC Energy Highway project expected to commence by 2030, LS Marine Solution’s new CLV and advanced subsea cable factory are positioned to play a pivotal role in South Korea’s energy infrastructure development and the global transition to renewable energy sources.