Orange Marine, the submarine cable specialist subsidiary of the Orange Group, has announced the construction of two state-of-the-art cable ships, aiming to bolster the resilience of the world’s critical internet infrastructure.
This strategic investment is aimed at securing and maintaining digital networks across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The new vessels will expand Orange Marine’s operational fleet to four ships dedicated to maintenance, positioning the Orange group as the operator of the world’s most advanced cable maintenance fleet. These ships will patrol key maritime zones, including the Atlantic, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea, ensuring the continuity of the essential cables that form the backbone of the global internet. The Group also operates two cable-laying ships and one survey vessel through its subsidiaries.
“As a leader in global digital infrastructure, Orange manages over 450,000 km of undersea cables connecting all continents,” said Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale. “This strategic investment in our fleet of cable ships will be a key to ensuring the resilience and security of the global Internet. It demonstrates our confidence in Orange Marine’s prospects and the expertise of its teams.”
The new ships, sister vessels to the iconic Sophie Germain launched in 2023, are designed for versatility. While primarily dedicated to submarine cable maintenance, they will also be capable of laying cable segments up to 1,000 kilometers long. They are set to replace the aging Léon Thévenin (1983) and the Antonio Meucci (1987), modernizing the company’s core maintenance capabilities.
The construction contract has been awarded to the renowned Sri Lankan shipyard, Colombo Dockyard, which previously delivered the Sophie Germain. The delivery of the two new ships is scheduled for 2028 and 2029.
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The new fleet design prioritizes environmental sustainability and innovation, featuring advanced technologies aimed at significantly reducing the ships’ ecological footprint. By incorporating these innovations, the fleet is expected to cut fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by approximately 20% compared to existing vessels. Key features include a streamlined hull designed to optimize fuel efficiency and facilitate repair operations. The ships will be powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system supported by backup batteries, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions.
For superior maneuverability, the vessels will utilize Azipod main thrusters, and while docked in port, they will have the capability to connect to shore-side power, further minimizing environmental impact. This combination of technologies represents a forward-thinking approach to creating greener, more efficient maritime operations.
Furthermore, each ship will be equipped with a custom-built, remotely operated underwater robot (ROV) designed by Orange Marine. This ROV, stored in an onboard hangar, will enable safe cable inspection, cutting, and burial operations.
Didier Dillard, President of Orange Marine and Elettra Tlc, emphasized the strategic importance of the investment: “The aging of the cable ship fleet is a major concern for all players in the submarine cable industry. Building these new ships will enable Orange Marine and Elettra to have the most modern fleet in the world, serving all our clients globally, with an optimized environmental footprint.”
