OMS orders two Ulstein cable ships to meet demand
OMS Group has signed contracts with Ulstein for the design and construction of two new cable-laying vessels, taking its GREAT-Class Fleet to four newbuild ships under construction.
OMS Group said the two vessels will come into service in 2028. The company said the ships will target lower carbon emissions and improved operational efficiency during cable installation work.
Fleet expansion
OMS Group operates in subsea digital infrastructure and related marine services. The company said the latest order forms part of a wider fleet expansion strategy amid growing demand for submarine cable systems.
The two vessels will join what OMS Group calls its GREAT-Class Fleet. The company said it now has four new committed or under construction vessels in this class.
OMS Group also said it already owns five active cable vessels. The company's marine services include installation and repair of deep and shallow water fibre-optic cable systems, shore-end installation and marine maintenance. It also carries out engineering work, project management, permitting and subsea surveys, according to the company.
Design choices
Ulstein designs and builds offshore vessels. OMS Group said it will adopt Ulstein's X-BOW design for the new ships.
Ulstein also referenced its POWER Variable Speed Generator system. The company said it reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
The statement from Ulstein points to a combination of hull design and onboard power systems. It also signals a focus on vessel efficiency during operations that can include long transits, station keeping and complex cable deployment in a range of sea conditions.
Market demand
Subsea cable projects continue to expand as operators add international bandwidth and connect new data centre hubs. Several routes also face repair and replacement needs as networks age and the number of cable faults rises in busy maritime corridors.
At the same time, the cable-laying sector faces capacity constraints. Industry schedules depend on a limited pool of specialist ships. Project timelines can slip when vessels are booked years ahead or diverted to urgent repair work.
OMS Group described global connectivity demand as a driver for the investment in new tonnage. The company also positioned sustainability as a central element of the ship design and operating profile.
"This latest expansion reflects OMS Group's clear strategic direction, to invest and build a future-ready fleet that underpins the rapidly expanding global digital economy. Partnering with ULSTEIN® and adopting the X-BOW® design reinforces our commitment to performance, sustainability, and operational excellence," said Datuk Lim Soon Foo, Founder and Chairman of OMS Group.
OMS Group's Group Chief Executive Officer also pointed to vessel availability across the sector.
"With global connectivity demand accelerating, fleet capacity has become a critical constraint for the industry. These vessels significantly enhance our ability to execute complex submarine cable installations reliably and at scale, positioning OMS Group strongly for the next phase of global digital infrastructure growth," said Ronnie Lim, Group Chief Executive Officer of OMS Group.
Ulstein partnership
Ulstein framed the contract as evidence of its standing in specialised ship design and construction. The shipbuilder also highlighted specific technologies it expects to integrate on the vessels.
"At Ulstein, we are proud to partner with OMS Group on these next-generation cable-laying vessels. This confirms Ulstein's position within the design and construction of special-purpose ships. By integrating our proven ULSTEIN® X-BOW® design with advanced technologies such as the ULSTEIN® POWER Variable Speed Generator (VSG), we deliver vessels that set new standards for operational efficiency and environmental performance in this market. These solutions reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Together with OMS Group, we are committed to supporting the global digital infrastructure with sustainable, future-ready solutions," said Gunvor Ulstein, Chief Executive Officer at Ulstein.
OMS Group said the new vessels will focus on reducing carbon emissions and lowering environmental impact during subsea network deployment. The company did not disclose contract values, shipyard locations, vessel dimensions or cable payload figures.
Delivery in 2028 places the vessels into a period when multiple new submarine cable systems are expected to move from planning into construction. OMS Group said the added capacity will be available for complex installation work as project volumes increase.