Taihan expands subsea cable-laying capacity with CLV fleet

Taihan Cable & Solution has strengthened its submarine cable installation and turnkey project capabilities by securing an additional cable-laying vessel (CLV). The company is moving to preempt growing power demand driven by artificial intelligence data centers and advanced industrial complexes, as well as emerging next-generation power grid markets. Following its existing 7,000-ton CLV "Palos," Taihan has secured an 11,000-ton cable-laying vessel "Scandi Connector," establishing the only CLV fleet in South Korea. This enables a "dual-track installation system" in which the two vessels can be selectively deployed depending on project scale and marine conditions. The company plans to provide customized installation solutions optimized for various project sites, including large-scale offshore wind farms and long-distance submarine power grid construction. By incorporating "Taihan Ocean Works," a specialized submarine cable installation subsidiary, the company has internalized specialized personnel and engineering capabilities. At its Dangjin facility in South Chungcheong, Taihan is constructing a second submarine cable factory targeting completion in 2027. The facility will be equipped with a VCV tower of the highest height in South Korea at 187 meters, capable of producing up to 640 kilovolt high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and 400 kilovolt high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) submarine cables.

Taihan plans to leverage its Dangjin submarine cable production infrastructure, CLV fleet, and specialized installation subsidiary in an integrated manner to pursue major power grid projects such as the West Sea energy corridor project, building on its capacity to perform turnkey operations covering the entire process from submarine cable production through transportation, installation, and construction. The company is also advancing its technology development and testing infrastructure. It has developed a 500 kilovolt current-source HVDC cable and obtained international certification for a 525 kilovolt voltage-source HVDC system. Taihan has won a turnkey contract for the 500 kilovolt HVDC construction project of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Through a dedicated test center for up to 640 kilovolt HVDC, the company is shortening product development and verification periods. A Taihan official stated, "Based on our turnkey capabilities in submarine cable production and installation through our own CLV fleet and our HVDC technological strength, we will actively expand business opportunities in domestic and international next-generation power grid markets including the West Sea energy corridor."