Orange Marine, a subsidiary of Orange Telecoms focused on submarine cable work, has commissioned the construction of two new cable ships to strengthen the resilience of networks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
According to the telco, the new ships will replace the Léon Thévenin (1983, based in South Africa) and the Antonio Meucci (1987, based in Italy). The soon-to-be-retired ships are currently responsible for cable maintenance in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Black Sea, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.
The replacement ships will predominantly be dedicated to submarine cable maintenance, said Orange Marine, and will also be capable of laying connecting segments up to 1,000 kilometres long.
The new sister ships of the Sophie Germain, which was launched in 2023, will be equipped with a remotely operated underwater robot (ROV) that is stored in an onboard hangar. The ROV, designed and manufactured by Orange Marine, will enable safe cutting, inspection and burial of cables.
In total, four ships will operate in the Atlantic, the English Channel, the North Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea, ensuring the continuity and security of essential submarine cable networks across the EMEA region.
Africa relies heavily on submarine cables to connect to the global Internet. According to Telegeography, there are 77 cable systems, both active and under construction, connected to Africa.
“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.
Didier Dillard, president of Orange Marine and Elettra TLC, added that the deterioration of a cable ship fleet is a significant concern for the entire industry, as such, the new ships will enable Orange Marine and, its Italian subsidiary, Elettra TLC to modernise infrastructure.
Sri Lankan shipyard, Colombo Dockyard, which previously built the Sophie Germain, will oversee the construction, with completion expected in 2028 and 2029.
With the benefits of modern design and an environmentally friendly ethos, the new ships will include technologies to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to current vessels. The ships will also be designed with a streamlined hull, which will also assist in reducing fuel consumption, while the craft will contain a hybrid system combining diesel and electric power, and the ability to produce electricity onboard and store it through backup batteries.
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