Abstract: To accurately calculate the motion of cable in low tension, a new three-dimensional finite element model is established in this paper, with tension stiffness, bending stiffness and torsional stiffness being considered. Based on the rod theory, the dynamical differential equation is first derived. Subsequently, by taking the cubic spline interpolation as trial function, the element stiffness matrix is obtained using the Galerkin method. Finally, the element stiffness matrixes are combined to obtain the global stiffness matrix. The model is applied to several examples using Matlab programming. The numerical result is coincident with the experimental results. The results of the present study are expected to be useful for kinematics analysis and design of ocean cable, such as mooring cables, towing rope and ROV umbilical cables.