DL E&C, Global Developer's Expansive Moves... Standing Out in Infrastructure Sector

DL E&C is expanding its overseas territory as a developer. Moving beyond simple construction, it operates as a developer responsible for financing, construction, and operation, gaining attention from global clients by building important infrastructure such as bridges, railroads, ports, power plants, and water treatment facilities around the world.

Panoramic view of the ?anakkale Bridge in Turkey / Photo by DL E&C

The ?anakkale Bridge in T?rkiye is the structure that best demonstrates DL E&C's capabilities as a global developer. With a total length of 3,563 meters, its main span is the longest suspension bridge span in the world. The previous longest suspension bridge was the Akashi Kaiky? Bridge in Japan, with a main span of 1,991 meters. This bridge was constructed by DL E&C and SK Ecoplant, starting in April 2018, and completed after 48 months of construction. Since its opening in March 2022, the two companies will operate it for about 12 years before transferring it to the local government. This exemplifies DL E&C’s role as a developer handling construction, operation, and transfer (BOT).

In May 2022, DL E&C officially opened the Sillim Line, a 7.8 km route connecting Gwanaksan Station in Gwanak-gu, Seoul to Saetgang Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu. The Sillim Line is a project promoted by DL E&C using a Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) model. Namseoul Light Rail, led by DL E&C as the main contractor, transferred ownership to the Seoul Metropolitan Government upon completion and will operate the line for 30 years to recover its investment. The total project cost amounts to 832.8 billion KRW.

DL E&C is also demonstrating its capabilities as a developer in hydropower and water treatment projects. In 2012, DL E&C established a joint venture with Korea South-East Power and Lotte Construction to enter the Gulpur Hydropower Project in Pakistan. This project involves constructing a 102 MW hydropower plant about 167 km southeast of Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, and operating it for 30 years under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. Approximately 440 billion KRW was invested to alleviate the severe power shortage in the region through stable power supply.

In April last year, DL E&C was selected as the preferred negotiator for the modernization project of the Uijeongbu Sewage Treatment Plant. This project aims to modernize, consolidate, and underground the outdated sewage treatment facilities. DL E&C proposed this private investment project in 2019 and has been actively developing the project since last year.

Pohang Yeongil New Port panorama / Photo by DL E&C

DL E&C also constructed the recently spotlighted Pohang Yeongil New Port. It is a private investment project in which DL E&C participates as a shareholder and operates the port for 50 years. DL E&C was selected as the preferred negotiator in 2001, started the project, and has been operating it as the major shareholder owning 29.5% of the shares since its completion in 2008. Future development projects such as the Yeongilman Cross High-Speed Road and the East Coast Hydrogen Economy Industrial Belt are expected to increase cargo volume.

A DL E&C official stated, "Based on world-class technology and capabilities, DL E&C is recognized in the global developer market. We are improving our organizational structure to promote high value-added developer projects and will continue to create new value that meets the increasingly high market expectations."