Orange’s subsea cable subsidiary, Orange Marine, has announced plans to construct two new cable ships to replace its aging vessels, Léon Thévenin (1983) and Antonio Meucci (1987), which currently support maintenance across the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Red Sea regions.
The new vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029 and will primarily focus on submarine cable maintenance, with the capability to lay connecting segments up to 1,000km long.
This strategic investment aims to enhance the resilience and security of the global internet infrastructure. Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, emphasised that modernising the fleet demonstrates Orange Marine’s confidence and commitment to ensuring reliable connectivity worldwide.
The new ships will be built at Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka, which previously delivered the Sophie Germain cable ship in 2023. They will feature hybrid propulsion systems combining diesel and electric power, onboard electricity generation with backup batteries, and the ability to connect to land-based power grids at ports. Additionally, streamlined hulls and improved thrusters are expected to reduce fuel consumption by 25%.
Orange Marine operates a total of four ships dedicated to cable maintenance across various regions, including the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Red Sea, complemented by two specialised cable-laying vessels and a marine survey ship through its Italian subsidiary, Elettra TLC.
With an estimated 60 operational cable ships worldwide — many over 30 years old — and over 400 subsea cables in service, the limited supply of modern vessels poses challenges for project deployment and repair efforts. By expanding and upgrading its fleet, Orange Marine aims to maintain its position as a leader in this critical industry segment, supporting the increasing demand for reliable subsea connectivity.
