U.S.-based Oceaneering International Inc. hopes to expand the scope of cable production at its existing plant in Rosyth, Scotland, a development that reflects a larger industry trend: established manufacturers adapting their operations to address new opportunities in the evolving wire and cable sector.
Per a press release and wire reports, Oceaneering has received a €465,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise to support dynamic cable qualification projects at its established Rosyth facility. The funding will drive initial R&D using existing equipment, aimed at designing and certifying new subsea power cables for floating offshore wind projects. Once qualified, Oceaneering will invest to expand production capacity with new equipment and automation. The company said the project is expected to support both jobs and advanced manufacturing skills in Scotland.
“We are excited to leverage our established expertise in subsea systems to support the floating wind sector and strengthen Scotland’s role in this industry,” an Oceaneering press release said.
Oceaneering’s Rosyth facility has produced subsea communication, power and hydraulic umbilicals for offshore oil and gas platforms since 1999. Now, the company aims to extend this expertise into cables for renewables. For the initial R&D and qualification phase, existing manufacturing equipment will be used. If the project progresses as anticipated, Oceaneering will participate in the growing floating wind supply chain, increasing its contribution to the expanding renewables market.
This approach—expanding cable capabilities into emerging markets—contrasts with developments seen in other regions. As reported in the June issue of WJI, two major Indian industrial firms, UltraTech Cement and Adani Group—each previously unrelated to cable manufacturing—announced plans to enter the wire and cable sector. UltraTech Cement, for example, intends to invest $216 million over the next two years, while Adani Group cited the attractiveness of a compound annual growth rate that has topped 13% in recent years.
Oceaneering’s story alone may not seem like big news, but it shows how the wire and cable industry has emerged as a growth field—for established cable manufacturers seeking new applications, as well as for companies entering new markets/locations.
