DeepOcean and the controlling entity of TFKable Group have agreed to establish a joint venture targeting the full engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and installation lifecycle of inter-array cable projects in the offshore wind sector, the companies announced on 23 September 2026.

The collaboration brings together TFKable Group's subsea cable manufacturing capabilities with DeepOcean's offshore engineering, installation, and seabed intervention expertise, with plans for a dedicated newbuild cable-laying vessel also forming part of the offering.

A Partnership Built on Complementary Capabilities

TFKable Group, which comprises Tele-Fonika Kable, JDR Cable Systems, and their affiliated and associated entities, has developed extensive experience in the design and manufacture of subsea power cable systems for offshore wind projects.

DeepOcean, owned by European investment firm Triton, operates as a global provider of subsea services spanning survey, engineering, project management, cable installation, and seabed intervention across the offshore renewables and energy industries.

The planned joint venture will combine these capabilities to deliver a service covering key stages of inter-array cable projects, including seabed mapping, route surveys, engineering, cable manufacturing and transportation, trenching, installation, and cable protection. While the initial focus will be on inter-array cable systems, the partners noted the potential to support other subsea cable applications in the future.

Øyvind Mikaelsen, CEO of DeepOcean, described the rationale for the collaboration as a direct response to shifting demands from offshore wind developers. "Offshore wind developers are increasingly looking for greater collaboration and integration across the supply chain. By combining complementary cable manufacturing and offshore installation capabilities, we intend to create a more efficient delivery model that reduces interfaces, strengthens risk management and supports greater project certainty," he said.

Reducing Interface Risk Across the Project Lifecycle

The integrated EPCI model at the heart of the joint venture is designed to address a persistent challenge in offshore wind cable delivery: the management of interfaces between multiple contractors responsible for different stages of the same project.

By consolidating manufacturing, transportation and installation under a single offering, the partners are targeting improvements in schedule certainty and delivery predictability.

Piotr Mirek, a Member of the Management Board of Tele-Fonika Kable and Executive Director for Supply Chains and Investments in JDR Cable Systems, said the combination of the two companies' strengths presented a genuine opportunity for customers.

"TFKable and JDR Cable Systems have developed strong expertise in inter-array cable solutions, supported by continued investment in technology, manufacturing capacity, and product development. Together with DeepOcean's offshore engineering and installation capabilities, we see an opportunity to offer customers a more integrated solution covering a broader part of the cable project lifecycle," he said.

Mirek added that the overarching aim was to reduce interface risk and improve the efficiency of inter-array cable project delivery.

A New Build Cable-Laying Vessel at the Center of the Plan

Central to the joint venture's long-term offering is the planned construction and operation of a purpose-built, dedicated inter-array cable-laying vessel. The vessel is intended to support the delivery of inter-array cable projects as the joint venture's integrated capabilities come online.

The cable-laying vessel will be owned by a separate vessel owning entity comprising three parties: Poland's state-owned industrial development agency ARP, known formally as Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A., along with DeepOcean and the controlling entity of TFKable Group. The companies stated that work is currently progressing towards the milestones required for project sanction, though no formal construction decision has yet been confirmed.

The inclusion of ARP in the vessel ownership structure reflects a broader industrial dimension to the project, given TFKable Group's existing manufacturing presence in Poland and the United Kingdom.

The companies noted that TFKable Group's ongoing investments in subsea cable manufacturing capacity and technology across those two countries will also support the integrated offering.

A Multi-Year Development Program With Milestones Through 2029

The collaboration is structured as a multi-year development program, with capabilities expected to be introduced progressively as the programme advances. Key development milestones are currently planned through 2029. The companies did not specify the exact sequencing of which capabilities will be introduced at which stage.

The establishment and operation of the joint venture remain subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities and the completion of customary closing requirements.

In the meantime, both DeepOcean and TFKable Group stated they will continue to support their current and future customers with installation services and product supply on a project-by-project basis.

Industry Context and Strategic Positioning

The announcement reflects a broader trend in the offshore wind sector toward consolidation of supply chain services, as developers seek to reduce the complexity and risk associated with managing multiple contractors across the cable project lifecycle.

Inter-array cables, which connect individual wind turbines to one another and to offshore substations, represent a significant component of offshore wind project costs and schedules.

The joint venture's geographic footprint, drawing on TFKable Group's manufacturing base in Poland and the United Kingdom alongside DeepOcean's global operational capabilities, positions the partnership to serve offshore wind markets across Europe and potentially further afield as the sector continues to expand.

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