Internationally accepted marine cables with up to IP68 rating lead supply

Copper-based types constitute the bulk of output for marine cables. Many companies offer optical variants as well.

Putting a premium on product reliability and stability, China manufacturers of marine cables ensure their output has flame-retardant, water-resistant, and enhanced strength and flexibility characteristics. Releases have an IP rating as high as IP68. Most companies secure relevant national and international approval, including IEC 60092, GB/T 9331 to 9334, NEK 606 and JIS C3410.

Whether for power, lighting, control or telecom applications in shipboard environment, marine cables differ in structure from common types used on land. These have a braided metal sheath for high strength and yet exhibit flexibility to bending. Such products also display adaptability to low temperatures and utilize flame-retardant insulation that is low-smoke and contains no halogen and lead.

Besides electric cables, optical types have increasing demand in this market because they support high transmission speeds and are lightweight but animal bite-resistant. In the military field, the kind is expected to gradually replace the former in coming years.

For this reason, a number of local makers offer marine optical cables now. Shanghai Guangsheng has patented models with stainless steel springs that protect the optical fibers, and two layers of imported flame-retardant materials. The products come in single- and multimode variants with choices of two, four, six, eight and 12 cores, 62.5/125µm, 50/125µm, 9/125µm, G652 and G655 optical fibers, and ST, SC, FC and LC plugs. These operate in temperatures as low as -60 C to as high as 120 C. Weight ranges from 45 to 110kg per kilometer. Shanghai Zi Jing is another company turning out such cables.

Globally, the marine cables sector has been in an upturn, driven by a similar trend in the marine industry. China's segment has been posting 5 to 10 percent increase in sales annually, including from shipments overseas. The majority of domestic suppliers predict this will be sustained in the next one or two years and have been raising output in response.

Cableforce Electronics Co. Ltd will keep expanding production, targeting an increase surpassing 30 percent in 2018 after a 50 percent boost in the previous year. Marine cables make up 5 percent of its shipments. As for exports, the supplier is anticipating a 20 to 30 percent uptick from its transactions in Europe and North America.

Between 100 and 200 companies turn out marine cables in China. The upbeat outlook is expected to raise this number in the years ahead.

Locally owned enterprises represent more than 70 percent of the pool and the foreign suppliers, mainly from South Koreaand the US, the rest. The latter group includes industry leaders such as Nexans, Prysmian, LS Cable, Seoul Electric Wire, Tyco, Kukdong and AmerCable, the last two of which are under the Nexans Group. Jiangsu Yuanyang, Yangzhou Guangming, Changzhou Marine Cable, Jiangsu Shangshang and Shanghai Nan Yang are the homegrown counterparts.

To compete with major players boasting advantages in terms of R&D and production, domestic businesses highlight price-performance ratio and aftersales service.

Most companies in China turn out other types of electric wires and cables. Products for marine use generally account for 5 to 50 percent of shipments.

The line's main manufacturing base is in East China, covering the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui and Shandong. Shanghai is also a key hub. Over half of the makers gather in the first two provinces and Shanghai because of the number of shipyards there.

Copper-dominated selection

For marine applications, China suppliers continue to offer mainly electric cables with oxygen-free copper or OFC wire and PVC, XLPE or EPR insulation.

Based on the cross-sectional area, the options include 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95 and 120sqmm.

There are also marine optical cables, specifically for military use.

Customization is widely accepted and will continue to drive R&D and manufacture. Even so, the majority of makers ensure product performance pass relevant national and international standards.

All materials, including OFC, tin, optical fiber, PVC, XLPE, EPR, PE and PUR, are sourced locally. Those from foreign providers are used on request only.

Although input cost rose in 2017, the majority of makers maintained prices. In coming months, outlay for materials will be stable and ensure no change in product quotes.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in marine cables from China makers.

IP68 marine cable has FT-2 rating

Cableforce Electronics Co. Ltd's model PUR22-5 marine cable has a tinned copper conductor in 22AWG, PE insulation and PUR jacket. Its flame retardancy rating is FT-2.

The 300V unit has 59.4 ohm/km maximum DC conductor resistance at 20 C. It operates in -25 to 80 C. The IP68 product meets CSA, RoHS and UL requirements.

The minimum order is negotiable and the delivery lead time 3 days.

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Cable for shipboard power applications

This model JYJ85/SC marine cable from Pure Pro is mainly for shipboard power applications. The ethylene-propylene and crosslinked polyethylene used support 85 C, while the fluororesin can withstand 200 C and the silicone rubber 180 C.

The standards met are GJB1916-94, GJB773, MIL-C-24643 and Q/320831YHB007-2008. The unit is IP68-rated.

The maker requires an order of at least 10m for delivery within 3 days.

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Marine cable in single-, multicore variants

Tianjin Jinshan Wire & Cable Co. Ltd offers model Ul1309Single/Multi-core cable model, which has a rated voltage of 600, 1,000 or 2,000V. The flame-retardant product complies with UL 1309. It has an IP68 rating.

The minimum order is 1,000m and the delivery lead time 7 days.

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Marine cable for ships, offshore structures

Zhongli Sci-Tech Group Co. Ltd has model CJPJ85NSC-1 marine cable for emergency power, lighting and control systems in ships, and for oil platforms and other offshore structures.

The IP68-rated unit has a stranded circular tinned copper conductor, braided tinned copper wire armor and an SHF1 outer sheath. The XLPE insulation has an added Mica tape layer for flame retardancy.

The negotiable minimum order has a 7-day delivery lead time.

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