The spate of orders for cable-lying vessels (CLVs) has shown no signs of slowing as NKT reported ordering one and Taihan reported buying one.

A press release said that the NKT order, worth between $218 to $270 million, is from NKT HV Cables, a Swedish-based turn-key power cable manufacturer and installation company that is part of NKT. It is to be built by Vard and designed by Salt Ship Design AS, both firms based in Norway. The hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romani.

NKT said that the need for the CLV relates to the company’s “record order backlog and the strong market outlook.” The vessel will be constructed in parallel with NKT expanding its site in Karlskrona, Sweden. Both of those initiatives are scheduled to be operational in 2027.

Taihan reported that it has acquired South Korea’s only CLV, a 6,200-ton CLV specialized for submarine cables that is capable of self-propulsion and dynamic positioning. The vessel can load up to 4,400 tons of underwater cables. The addition, it said, will help the company future-proof its business “amid expected shortages of cable ships.”

Taihan notes that it plans to make full use of this vessel first for the Yeonggwang Nakwol Offshore Wind Power Project. “This acquisition positions Taihan competitively in turn-key projects that span from submarine cable production to laying. As there are only a few cable manufacturers with cable-laying capabilities, Taihan is set to lead in the burgeoning offshore wind power industry globally.”

The release said that the increasing demand for submarine cables is likely to cause a shortage of cable layers, leading to higher charter rates for such vessels. “Owning this vessel positions Taihan favorably to undertake projects steadily and tap into new revenue sources.”