Orange Marine expands eco-efficient global cable fleet

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.”