Recently, South Korean subsea cable installation company LS Marine Solution signed a contract with Turkish shipyard Tersan to build a next-generation ultra-large cable laying vessel (CLV).
Earlier, in May of this year, LS Marine Solution announced an investment of 345.8 billion KRW (approximately $251 million or 1.8 billion RMB) to construct a large CLV with a cable-loading capacity of 13,000 tons. This vessel is intended to secure major contracts for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and offshore wind projects in South Korea, Europe, and the United States.
This vessel is a core asset necessary for South Korea’s long-distance autonomous power transmission grid. Designed by Norway’s Salt Ship Design, the ship measures 148.4 meters in length and 31 meters in width, with accommodations for 100 crew members. Construction is expected to take three years, with delivery scheduled for 2028.
LS Marine Solution stated that this vessel represents the most advanced equipment capable of simultaneously laying HVDC subsea cables and fiber-optic cables. It ensures stable operations in long-distance, high-voltage, and deep-water environments, making it ideal for HVDC grid construction. Currently, only three similarly high-specification vessels are in operation worldwide. Its cable-loading capacity will rank among the top five globally and first in Asia, becoming South Korea’s sole specialized HVDC cable installation vessel.
The company noted that the new vessel is being built in response to South Korea’s “West Coast HVDC Energy Highway” project. Once completed, it will be the only domestically owned vessel in South Korea capable of long-distance, continuous cable laying.
The “West Coast HVDC Energy Highway” is a major grid connection project planned for completion by 2040, aiming to transmit 20GW of offshore wind power—expected to be installed in South Korea—to key industrial regions. If approved, construction is expected to begin before 2030.
LS Marine Solution is a company specializing in the marine cable industry, primarily providing development and construction services for marine infrastructure. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Busan, South Korea, it was formerly known as KT Submarine. The company has extensive experience in subsea cable installation, marine structure development, and offshore energy projects, serving sectors such as telecommunications, renewable energy, and marine construction.
