Morgan-Koch Corporation announced that it has been chosen by GMP-Slovakia to represent it in North America.

A press release said that Morgan-Koch Corporation will represent GMP Slovakia’s product lines, which include steel reels and cable drums, take-apart reels and handling equipment. Founded in 2003, GMP Slovakia develops and manufactures steel reels, collapsible reels and reel handling equipment for the wire and cable industry. The company has two manufacturing plants and has long worked closely with key machinery manufacturers.

GMP Slovakia’s steel reels are suitable for drawing, bunching and stranding steel, copper or aluminum wires and its metal cable drums are used for cable and rope process or transportation. The size and dimensions of each steel reel can be customized according to customer needs. Its range of products also includes baskets, pallets and customized solutions all designed with 3D graphic system, as well as reparation service of used steel cable reels.

 “We welcome GMP Slovakia into our group of high-quality suppliers to the wire and cable industry,” said Albert Kozlowski, vice president/general manager of Morgan-Koch.

Ducab Group, one of the UAE’s largest industrial manufacturing businesses & solution providers, has been awarded to supply overhead conductors for a 288 KM OHL (Over Head Line) project as part of a GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business electrification project in Iraq.

A press release said that the project complements Iraq’s larger energy transition plan, moving the nation into a regional energy hub through smart and sustainable grid infrastructure. The Ducab Group participated in the GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 400 kV overhead transmission lines interconnecting Jordan and Qaim area in Iraq. This is being done in connection with a re-enforcement program for EPC, and the supply of substations and transmission lines (132 kV/400 kV) turnkey projects.

“Our products and services have a direct impact on communities, industries and nations,” said Ducab Group CRO Mohammad A. Almutawa. “By supplying energy solutions to the Iraq power project, we can help ensure a reliable power supply to Iraq and aim to support the country in achieving its socio-economic objectives.”

The release noted the challenges matching electricity supply with demand. In 2019, for example, analysts estimated that peak demand was 26 GW, 58% higher than generation capacity. GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions business signed a contract with the Ministry of Electricity in Iraq to support these shortcomings, bringing in Ducab as a key supplier on the project.

 “The association with Ducab for this strategic project is further promoting Ducab’s products and the strength of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ brand,” the release said.

Hellenic Cables, the cables segment of Cenergy Holdings that is based in Greece, has signed a contract to supply some 205 km of inter-array cables for the Bałtyk II and Bałtyk III offshore wind farms in Poland.

A press release said that the joint venture of Equinor and Polenergia has been developing the MWF Bałtyk II & III offshore wind farm projects in Poland. Hellenic Cables was appointed by Seaway7 as the key subcontractor for the design, manufacturing, testing and supply of up to approximately 205 km of 66 kV submarine inter-array cables and related accessories for these projects.

The Bałtyk II and III wind farms extend into 122 sq km and 117 sq km areas, respectively, strategically positioned in the southwestern Baltic Sea within Polish waters at depths from 20 to 45 m. Hellenic Cables will manufacture the submarine cables at its Corinth plant, with the schedule calling for delivery completed by the first half of 2026.

“We are delighted to be working with Hellenic Cables once again, following our successful collaboration on previous offshore wind projects,” said Seaway7 Project Manager Tom Rijnders.

Hellenic Cables notes that, through its fully owned subsidiary, Fulgor, the company’s Corinth plant can produce some of the world’s longest submarine cable lengths without factory joints.

Leoni reports that the company has concluded the sale of one of its business groups to Deutsche Invest Mittelstand (DI Mittelstand)

A press release said that on Dec. 13, 2023, the sale of the Leoni Business Group Wire Products & Solutions (BG PS) was completed. The deal included Leoni Draht GmbH, Haarländer GmbH, Leoni Temco, Ltd. and Leoni Wire (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. The company group now owned by DI Mittelstand is operating under a new name: Aerumtec - Copper Products and Solutions. Leoni Draht GmbH with its plants in Weissenburg and Bad Kötzting thus becomes Aerumtec GmbH. The plants manufacture wire, strand and rope made from copper and Leoni Histral® alloys bare and plated, as well as composite materials.

DI Mittelstand, a private investment firm that was founded in 2007, is based in Hamburg, Germany. 

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.”