Another powerful tool added! Orders signed for two hybrid-electric cable-laying vessels

French submarine cable-laying and maintenance company Orange Marine announced that it has placed an order with Sri Lankan shipyard Colombo Dockyard for two new hybrid-powered marine cable vessels, aimed at bolstering the resilience of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa's undersea fiber-optic networks.

These two new vessels are expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029, becoming sister ships to the iconic submarine cable vessel "Sophie Germain," which was also built by Colombo Dockyard and delivered in 2023. They will primarily be used for underwater fiber-optic cable maintenance operations, while also capable of laying cables up to 1,000 kilometers long.

The new vessel will replace the two aging ships currently responsible for maintaining undersea cables in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Red Sea: the "Léon Thévenin" (built in 1983) and the "Antonio Meucci" (built in 1987).

Orange Marine stated that Colombo Dockyard enjoys a strong reputation for its expert technical capabilities and has successfully built the vessel "Sophie Germain." Choosing this shipyard aligns with the company’s strategic approach of pursuing industrial excellence and fostering international collaboration, while also ensuring compliance with the industry’s highest standards.

Compared to existing vessel designs, the latest cable-laying ships will feature cutting-edge technology, reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 20%. The optimized, streamlined hull—specifically engineered for maintenance operations—will further cut fuel usage by 25%. Additionally, a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system enables on-board power generation and leverages battery energy storage. Equipped with Azipod main thrusters, these vessels enhance maneuverability and reliability, while also allowing connection to shore power when docked, thereby minimizing carbon emissions even further.

Each vessel will also be equipped with an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) independently designed and manufactured by Orange Marine, stored in the ship's onboard hangar, capable of performing safe cable cutting, inspection, and burial operations.

With the addition of two new vessels, Orange Marine will boast the world’s most advanced and modern fleet of submarine cable maintenance ships. At that time, its fleet will total four vessels, operating across the Atlantic, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea—ensuring the uninterrupted operation and security of critical undersea fiber-optic networks serving Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, through Orange Marine and its Italian subsidiary Elettra TLC, the group also owns two cable-laying ships and one survey vessel.

Orange Wholesale CEO Michael Trabbia stated: "As a global leader in digital infrastructure, Orange manages over 450,000 kilometers of undersea fiber-optic cables that connect every major continent worldwide. This strategic investment in our cable fleet will be critical to ensuring the resilience and security of the global internet. It also underscores our confidence in the promising future of Orange Marine and the exceptional expertise of its dedicated team."

Orange Marine and Elettra Tlc President Didier Dillard stated: "The aging of the submarine cable fleet is a major challenge facing the entire undersea fiber-optic industry. By building these new vessels, Orange Marine and Elettra will be able to maintain the world's most modern fleet, delivering global services to all customers while operating with even more optimized environmental performance."

It is understood that Orange Marine primarily focuses on laying submarine communication cables and maintaining existing ones. The company’s fleet boasts world-class operational experience, accounting for 15% of the global total fleet of submarine cable-laying vessels. To date, Orange Marine has laid over 288,000 kilometers of undersea fiber-optic cables across the world’s major oceans. Additionally, its vessels have collectively completed more than 1,200 cable repair missions, with some repairs conducted at depths as great as 6,000 meters.