LS GreenLink Commences Development of Advanced Manufacturing and Port Facility in Chesapeake, Virginia

CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

LS GreenLink USA, Inc. ("LS GreenLink"), a subsidiary of LS Cable & System Ltd. (“LS Cable & System”), today officially commenced construction on its state-of-the-art manufacturing and port facility in Chesapeake, Virginia. This significant project represents a major advancement in bolstering global energy infrastructure, with the initial phase representing an investment exceeding $681 million and the creation of more than 330 new jobs in the region.

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The initial phase of the development will encompass a 750,000 sq. ft. advanced manufacturing plant, a 660-foot VCV (Vertical Continuous Vulcanization) tower, and a dedicated pier, all designed to enhance the production, handling, and global delivery of HVDC (high-voltage direct current) submarine cables critical to modern energy infrastructure. The 660-foot VCV tower is projected to be the tallest structure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the tallest structure between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Charlotte, North Carolina, underscoring the facility’s significant contribution to the regional skyline.

Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO of LS Cable & System, said, “This groundbreaking marks a monumental step forward for LS Cable & System in fulfilling our global vision for energy infrastructure. By investing in cutting-edge manufacturing facilities like the one in Chesapeake, Virginia, we not only strengthen our competitive position in the global market but also play a crucial role in providing innovative solutions to meet the world’s growing energy demands. The success of this project will enhance our global footprint and contribute significantly to the advancement of sustainable energy systems worldwide.”

Gisu Kim, Regional President of North America at LS Cable & System, emphasized the significance of the new facility, stating, “The development of this advanced manufacturing facility highlights LS Cable & System’s continued commitment to the United States. This project not only strengthens our global production capabilities but also contributes directly to local economic growth and the advancement of the region’s energy infrastructure. We are proud to support the communities where we operate and look forward to the positive impact this facility will have across the broader energy sector.”

“This groundbreaking event represents far more than the launch of a construction project - it marks the start of a long-term investment in innovation, sustainability, and energy resilience,” said Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director of LS GreenLink USA, Inc. “With this facility, LS GreenLink is laying the foundation for leadership in advanced manufacturing while reinforcing the global energy infrastructure that powers industries and communities worldwide.”

Virginia GovernorGlenn Youngkin remarked, “The commencement of this facility in Chesapeake is a proud moment for Virginia. This investment strengthens our leadership in innovation, energy, and manufacturing while creating hundreds of new jobs. LS GreenLink’s commitment to developing advanced energy infrastructure here exemplifies the innovative and impactful growth we are seeing across the Commonwealth.”

U.S. Senator Mark Warner stated, “I’ve been proud to support this project, and am thrilled to finally celebrate the groundbreaking of this manufacturing and port facility. This investment by LS GreenLink will be tremendous for Chesapeake, and for Virginia as a whole, bringing high-quality, good-paying jobs to the region while continuing the Commonwealth’s leadership in energy investment and infrastructure.”

“I’m thrilled to be breaking ground with LS GreenLink on its Hampton Roads cable manufacturing and pier facility, and I’m proud that this project was facilitated by tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act that I fought to pass,” said U.S. Senator Kaine. “This facility will create hundreds of high-quality, good-paying jobs, boost the region’s economy, and affirm Virginia’s global status as a clean energy hub.”

U.S. Representative Bobby Scott shared, “I am proud to welcome LS GreenLink to Virginia’s Third Congressional District. Hampton Roads is a leader in offshore wind production and this subsea cable facility is an important piece of the domestic offshore wind supply chain. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, LS GreenLink is utilizing tax credits for projects that expand clean energy. The manufacturing tax credits, which I spearheaded with my colleagues, are bringing high-paying jobs to our local economy and I look forward to seeing the completed facility.”

“This groundbreaking ceremony represents not just a significant investment in the City of Chesapeake but also for the Hampton Roads community,” said Chesapeake City Mayor Rick West. “This investment represents a huge step for the region’s clean energy and offshore wind industries. LS GreenLink’s decision to locate in Chesapeake proves the City’s and region’s commitment to clean, renewable energy. We look forward to future investment from LS and a continued partnership with South Korea.”

Doug Smith, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Alliance, commented, “The Hampton Roads region has long been recognized for its strong maritime and manufacturing capabilities. This significant investment from LS GreenLink in Virginia not only enhances our regional economy but further establishes Hampton Roads as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing in the energy sector. We are excited to support LS GreenLink in this endeavor.”

Finally, David White, Executive Director of Virginia Maritime Association, added, “The development of this advanced manufacturing facility in Chesapeake aligns with the strategic growth of Virginia’s maritime industry. This project will provide critical infrastructure for the global energy supply chain while creating high-quality jobs in the region. We are proud to be part of this exciting development and look forward to its future success.”

The initial phase is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027, with the facility fully operational by the first quarter of 2028. Subsequent phases of the project are planned, allowing LS GreenLink to expand its production capacity and technological capabilities in response to evolving global infrastructure requirements.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together executives from LS GreenLink, elected officials, industry partners, and local community leaders, all of whom expressed their support for the project’s positive economic and strategic impact on the region.

About LS Cable & System Ltd.

Founded in 1962, LS Cable & System Ltd. is a global leader in power and communication cables and systems. With over 6,500 employees and 35 subsidiaries in 17 countries, LS Cable & System continues to drive innovation in energy transmission and distribution. For more information, visit www.lscns.com.

Senator Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator

Mayor Rick West, City of Chesapeake (right) with Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd. (center) and Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (left)

Governor Glenn Youngkin (right) with Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd. (center) and Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (left)

(From left to right) David White, Executive Director, Virginia Maritime Association; Patrick Y. Shim, Managing Director, LS GreenLink USA, Inc.; Doug Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance; Rick West, Mayor, City of Chesapeake; Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd.; Glenn Youngkin, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia; Juan Pablo Segura, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia; Gunnar Spengel, Project Director, TenneT TSO GmbH; Gisu Kim, Regional President of North America, LS Cable & System Ltd.; Christopher Price, City Manager, City of Chesapeake

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An American-Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip is expected to be released Monday, Hamas said, in a goodwill gesture for the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.

Edan Alexander was taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas' cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the war in Gaza. His release would be the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.

Israel has promised to intensify its offensive, including by seizing the territory and displacing much of its population again. Days before the ceasefire ended, Israel blocked all imports from entering the Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian crisis and sparking warnings about the risk of famine if the blockade isn't lifted. Israel says the steps are meant to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement on Israel's terms.

Israel says 59 hostages including Alexander remain in captivity, with about 24 of them said to be alive. Many of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were freed in ceasefire deals.

An Israeli official said Hamas was expected to release Alexander at around 6:30 p.m. The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Television footage showed Alexander’s mother, Yael Alexander, arriving at the Reim military base in southern Israel, where her son was expected to be taken first.

Alexander’s grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, said she had barely been able to sleep and had baked Edan’s favorite foods, some of which she sent to the military base.

Hamas on Sunday announced its intention to release Alexander, shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to arrive Tuesday in the Middle East on the first official foreign trip of his second term.

Trump on Sunday called the planned release “a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.”

“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Trump said on social media.

Trump, who is traveling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is not scheduled to stop in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday with the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and discussed efforts to release the remaining hostages, his office said.

“To this end, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed that a negotiations team leave for Doha tomorrow,” the prime minister's office said, adding that Netanyahu had “made it clear that the negotiations would only take place under fire.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing relatives of hostages, welcomed the news that an Israeli delegation was headed to Doha for talks.

“While Edan Alexander’s release gives us hope, all 58 of our loved ones must come home. Time is running out. These negotiations must bring everyone back,” the group said in a statement. “Trump’s plan offers a real path to freeing all hostages immediately. Every passing day puts their lives at greater risk. We cannot wait any longer."

On Monday, a statement from Netanyahu's office said Israel was not granting any concessions for Alexander’s release.

The statement said Israel did not commit to a ceasefire or the freeing of Palestinian prisoners as part of the release and that it had only agreed to create a “safe corridor” to allow for Alexander to be returned.

The statement said Israel would carry on with plans to ramp up its offensive in Gaza. Israel says it won't launch that plan until after Trump's visit to the Middle East, to allow for a potential new ceasefire deal to emerge.

A statement by the office on Sunday said the U.S. had told Israel that Alexander's release could lead to a new deal with Hamas to free more hostages.

Israel’s involvement in Alexander's expected release wasn’t immediately clear. But it created a backlash against Netanyahu, with critics accusing him of having to rely on a foreign leader to help free the remaining hostages.

At the opening of his trial for alleged corruption, where he is giving testimony, a woman in the courtroom asked whether he was “ashamed that the president of the United States is saving his citizens, and he is leaving them to die there in captivity.”

Critics assert that Netanyahu's insistence on keeping up the war in Gaza is politically motivated. Netanyahu says he aims to achieve Israel's goals of freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas.

Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in the 2023 attack. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 52,800 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants or civilians.

Israel's offensive has obliterated vast swaths of Gaza's urban landscape and displaced 90% of the population, often multiple times.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Relatives and friends of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander gather to watch the TV broadcast of his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Mohannad Al-Agha, holds body of his niece Zeina Al- Agha, 2, killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike, during her funeral at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

FILE - Varda Ben Baruch holds a picture of her grandson Edan Alexander, who is held hostage in Gaza, gathers with other families to call out on loudspeakers in hopes that their loved ones will hear them, near the Gaza border in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)