South Korean submarine cable maker to launch second manufacturing facility in 2027

South Korean Taihan Cable & Solution is planning to build its second submarine cable manufacturing facility, adjacent to the first one whose first phase was launched earlier this year.

Taihan opened the first phase of its first submarine cable plant which focuses on producing inter-array cables, covering around 44,800 m2 behind Godae Pier at Pyeongtaek’s Dangjin Port, in May. The plant is producing inter array cables for the South Korean Yeonggwang Nakwol offshore wind project.

The second phase, which includes facilities for the production of export cables, is currently at 40% in the construction process, with plans for completion by the first half of 2025. It will feature vertical continuous vulcanization (VCV) facilities for the production of export cables and HVDC cables.

The South Korean company now reported it had acquired approximately 215,000 square meters of land in Dangjin’s Godae District, Chungcheongnam-do, to construct the second submarine cable manufacturing facility.

The facility will feature a VCV tower, enabling the production of up to 620 kV HVDC submarine cables and export submarine cables. According to Taihan, the site was selected to actively address the growing demand for submarine cables, taking into account factors such as facility expansion.

Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2025, with completion set for the first half of 2027.

“The site is strategically located adjacent to our first submarine cable plant and near our key production facilities, forming the largest cable manufacturing cluster in South Korea,” said Taihan.

“Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, is a key logistics and transportation hub and the home of Taihan’s integrated production infrastructure. In addition to the world’s largest cable plant, the Solution Plant that manufactures cable accessories, and Submarine Cable Plant 1, which serves as a forward base for the offshore wind farm industry, the addition of Submarine Cable Plant 2 further strengthens our capabilities.”

Taihan announced in December 2023 that it had acquired what is said to be Korea’s only cable-laying vessel (CLV) for the offshore wind market. The CLV, bought for approximately $38.4 million, is equipped with self-propulsion and a DP2 system and can load up to 4,400 tons of underwater cables at once.

The commissioning ceremony was held in July.