Orange Marine expands its eco-efficient fleet with two cutting-edge vessels to secure and modernise global subsea networks. (Image source: Orange Marine)

Orange Marine, a subsidiary of Orange specialising in submarine cable operations, has announced the construction of two advanced cable ships to boost the resilience of undersea communication networks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

With these additions, the Orange Group will possess one of the world’s most technologically advanced and modern maintenance fleets. In total, four vessels will serve key maritime regions, including the Atlantic, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea. Together, they will ensure the continuity and protection of critical submarine cable systems that connect continents. In addition, Orange Marine and its Italian subsidiary, Elettra TLC, operate two cable-laying vessels and one reconnaissance ship used for marine surveys.

“As a leader in global digital infrastructure, Orange manages over 450,000 km of undersea cables connecting all continents. 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,” said Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale.

Expanding capabilities with cutting-edge technology

The two new sister vessels, modelled after the Sophie Germain launched in 2023, will primarily perform submarine cable maintenance but will also have the capacity to lay connecting segments of up to 1,000 km. They are set to replace the Léon Thévenin (1983, based in South Africa) and Antonio Meucci (1987, based in Italy), which currently handle maintenance across the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Red Sea.

Construction of the new ships has been awarded to Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka, a shipyard recognised for its expertise and the successful delivery of the Sophie Germain. This project reflects Orange Marine’s focus on industrial excellence and global collaboration, with delivery planned for 2028 and 2029.

A sustainable and innovative fleet

In line with Orange Marine’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the two vessels will feature technologies designed to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 20% compared to current ships.

Key sustainable features include:

* A streamlined hull that cuts fuel consumption by up to 25 percent

* A hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system with onboard power generation and battery storage

* Azipod main thrusters to enhance manoeuvrability and reliability

* Shore power connection capabilities to reduce emissions while docked

Both ships will be equipped with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), developed by Orange Marine, allowing for precise underwater cable cutting, inspection, and burial operations.

Didier Dillard, President of Orange Marine and Elettra TLC, said, “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.”

Powering trade through maritime corridors

Comoros has launched its ‘maritime corridor’ project after receiving financial support from a range of multilateral donors, including US$137mn from the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The project aims to modernise port infrastructure that is essential to the economic development of the islands of the Comoros, facilitate trade and strengthen regional connectivity, the AfDB noted in a statement.

Specifically, it aims to boost capacity and efficiency of the ports of Moroni and Boingoma to meet current and future needs, reduce transport costs and facilitate inter-island and regional trade.

The hope is that it will enable the Indian Ocean archipelago to capitalise on its strategic geographical position in the Mozambique Channel and become a logistics hub between Africa and Asia.

The island chain is situated between the northern coast of Mozambique and the north-west coast of Madagascar.

“The maritime corridor we are launching today is an eloquent testimony to our ability to build a resilient nation, fully integrated into regional and continental dynamics,” said President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, at a launch event in Moroni, the capital.

“It is a living symbol of our openness to the world, a bridge between people, a vehicle for trade, cooperation and shared prosperity.”

Other partners supporting the scheme include the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the French Development Agency, the European Union and the European Investment Bank, which together have provided a further US$110mn in additional funding.

The Global Centre for Adaptation has also provided support for the assessment of climate risks to port infrastructure and adaptation options to be considered in the design of the structures.

An AfDB official said the maritime corridor — the flagship project of the Comoros Emerging Plan 2030 — will contribute to developing ‘value chains’ in agriculture and fisheries, while creating economic opportunities for young people and women.

Since the beginning of its cooperation with Comoros in 1977, AfDB has financed nearly 40 projects and initiatives worth US$530mn, across sectors including transport, energy, agriculture and governance.

Comorian Minister of Maritime and Air Transport, Yasmine Hassane Alfeine, thanked the bank and other lenders for their support.

“We are taking a new step in the modernisation of our port and maritime infrastructure, with the prospect of creating a special economic zone.”

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The launch of Belcon Cold Store highlights Maersk’s continued focus on enhancing South Africa’s vital cold chain logistics network. (Image source: Maersk)

Maersk, a global leader in integrated logistics, has officially inaugurated the Belcon Cold Store facility in Cape Town, marking a major milestone in its investment of over US$100mn in South Africa’s cold chain infrastructure

This strategic move reinforces Maersk’s long-term commitment to the South African economy and its dedication to supporting businesses through advanced logistics solutions.

The launch of Belcon Cold Store highlights Maersk’s continued focus on enhancing South Africa’s vital cold chain logistics network, a key pillar of the nation’s perishable exports sector. South Africa’s cold-chain exports, led by fresh produce such as citrus and table grapes, represent a significant portion of its agricultural output.

“Maersk has been invested and present in South Africa for over three decades, and our ambition has never been stronger. We are committed to building and delivering logistics solutions that create tangible value for our customers and their businesses, while contributing to South Africa's economic prosperity and the livelihoods of its people,” said Lubabalo Mtya, managing director of Maersk Southern Africa & Islands.

Addressing a critical industry challenge

South Africa’s grape industry has faced recurring issues in maintaining cold chain integrity, with delays and disruptions causing losses estimated at up to 1.5 billion Rand annually. Inconsistent performance across the cold-chain logistics market has impacted exporters of temperature-sensitive produce.

“There was a clear need to strengthen South Africa's cold chain infrastructure to minimise these losses and support the competitiveness of local exporters. The Belcon Cold Store directly addresses this critical gap in the market,” added Mtya.

Integrated solutions for reliable exports

With Belcon’s inauguration, Maersk now operates three state-of-the-art cold storage facilities in South Africa, Belcon, Cato, and PreCool. Together, they form a robust network designed to uphold an unbroken cold chain through:

• 32,000 pallet positions

• Strategic proximity to ports in Cape Town and Durban

• Rail sidings and highway connections for multimodal efficiency

• An on-site container depot for streamlined cargo handling

• Renewable energy systems to support decarbonisation efforts

These facilities became fully operational in the second half of 2025, delivering tangible results during the citrus season by maintaining product quality and reducing waste in the supply chain.

As a leading integrated logistics provider, Maersk offers comprehensive services extending beyond ocean freight. Customers exporting perishables through its South African network benefit from end-to-end logistics solutions, including consolidation, temperature-controlled storage, customs brokerage, terminal handling, and both ocean and inland transportation.

“We are listening to our customers and implementing solutions that go beyond business as usual. This integrated approach means we're not only delivering on ocean shipping but providing our customers with complete logistics solutions that address their most pressing challenges,” remarked Mtya.

Maersk’s investment exceeding US$100mn demonstrates its confidence in South Africa’s economic potential and its dedication to strengthening the country’s agricultural and logistics sectors. By ensuring reliable temperature-controlled facilities, Maersk is enabling local exporters to reduce losses, maintain quality, and expand their reach to global markets.

The Belcon Cold Store inauguration further cements Maersk’s role as a strategic partner in South Africa’s agricultural value chain and underscores its mission to deliver logistics solutions that make a meaningful impact on the nation’s economy and communities.

South Africa’s transport ministry has issued requests for information to attract private sector investment in modernising the country’s rail infrastructure

In a bid to achieve South Africa’s ambitious goal of 600 million annual rail passenger trips by 2030, the government has issued a series of Requests for Information (RFI) inviting private sector ideas and investments to modernise and expand the country’s rail system

“Participation in the RFI process will assist the organisation to gather information, innovative ideas, and solutions which will guide future Requests for Proposals for private sector investment in the passenger rail sector,” minister of transport Barbara Creecy said in Pretoria.

The RFI covers several key areas, including fare collection systems, depot management, utilisation and commercialisation of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) fibre network to improve digital connectivity. It also seeks proposals on operational resilience across the rail sector, as well as innovative insights for developing long-distance regional rapid transit.

By May 2025, PRASA had commissioned 35 of 40 passenger corridors, achieving 77 million audited passenger journeys annually.

“To continue on the recovery path, PRASA requires additional investment that cannot be carried by the fiscus alone. These RFIs are not tenders, they are an invitation for the market to help us design the future of rail. Together, we can rebuild confidence in public transport, open up investment opportunities, and connect South Africans to the growth we all deserve,” Creecy added during a media briefing.

As part of its modernisation drive, South Africa plans to introduce a unified tap and go ticketing system usable across trains, buses, and taxis.

“No more queues or paper tickets, just one account-based system that makes travel easier and helps us manage revenue transparently and efficiently. The private sector has an important role to play to make this a reality.

“We’re partnering with the private sector to modernise our major maintenance depots at Braamfontein and Wolmerton. This will mean faster train repairs, better reliability, and new investment in nearby areas, creating jobs and boosting local development. It is for this reason that the private sector participation is of paramount given the magnitude of this project,” Creecy said.

PRASA is deploying thousands of km of fibre optic cables as part of a new signalling system along railway lines.

“We’re opening this door for private partners to help us turn that network into a source of income, by offering broadband and digital services, while strengthening safety and real-time communication across the rail system.

“We’re planning a new generation of regional trains, faster, safer, and more frequent, connecting cities like Pretoria, Johannesburg, Polokwane, Musina, Mbombela and Durban using our existing network up to 120 kmper hour, building new 160 to 200 km per hour regional lines, and testing the water for a new 300 km per hour high-speed railway between Johannesburg and Durban,” she said.

These new routes aim to cut travel times, reduce costs, ease road congestion, and drive economic growth along connected towns.

“These regional projects are not possible without private sector partnership. Through this RFI, we’re inviting skilled private operators to lease and manage our new and old fleet under clear performance standards, keeping them safe, reliable, and on time.

“PRASA’s new blue trains, built at the Gibela factory in Nigel, are world class. We also have older yellow trains that can be repurposed for new uses,” the Minister said.

Simultaneously, the government is collaborating with manufacturers to establish South Africa as Africa’s premier train production hub, boosting jobs, local manufacturing, and exports in alignment with the African Union’s 2015 resolution.

“The rail and port freight RFI process is part of our broader Freight Logistics Roadmap, which seeks to restore efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness in the movement of goods across our economy.

“It also reflects the government’s commitment to implementing the National Rail Policy (2022), the National Ports Policy, and the Private Sector Participation Framework (2023), all of which recognise the critical role of partnerships with the private sector in revitalising our transport infrastructure,” Creecy said.

Both policies maintain public ownership of rail and port networks while encouraging private investment to boost efficiency and effectiveness.

“The RFI process is a critical step in this private sector participation journey and reflects the government’s acknowledgement of the importance of considering the rail passenger and freight logistics landscape from the perspectives of all interested and affected parties to develop effective and sustainable solutions,” the Minister said.