OMS Group, a KKR backed Malaysian digital subsea infrastructure company, announced on Monday that it had signed a contract for the construction of a number of cable-laying ships with Dutch maritime firm Royal IHC.

OMS stated in a press release that the new vessels would help the company meet the surge of demand for telecoms and increase global connectivity. The first vessel is expected to be delivered during the first quarter 2027.

The group has not disclosed any financial information or the number of vessels that will be built.

KKR made a $400 million investment in OMS Group last October as part of their expansion into the digital infrastructure sector in Southeast Asia. According to the website of the U.S. investment firm, OMS is a KKR portfolio company.

OMS announced in June that it had secured $292.5 millions worth of loans, including from a group financial institutions, such as HSBC and E-Sun Commercial Bank, along with help from KKR.

(source: Reuters)