Orange Marine, a subsidiary of Orange Group specializing in submarine cable operations, has announced the construction of two new cable maintenance vessels to enhance the resilience of subsea networks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The additions will expand Orange’s modern fleet to four maintenance ships, complemented by two cable-laying vessels and one marine survey ship operated through its Italian subsidiary, Elettra TLC. The modernization aims to secure critical subsea infrastructure spanning the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and Red Sea regions.
The new ships, sister vessels to the Sophie Germain launched in 2023, will be equipped for both maintenance and cable-laying missions of up to 1,000 km. They will replace the Léon Thévenin (1983, based in South Africa) and Antonio Meucci (1987, based in Italy). Construction has been awarded to Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka, which previously delivered the Sophie Germain. The first delivery is scheduled for 2028, followed by 2029.
Designed for energy efficiency and maneuverability, the ships will feature streamlined hulls cutting fuel use by 25%, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, Azipod thrusters, and shore-power connection capabilities. Their onboard ROVs, designed by Orange Marine, will conduct cable inspection, cutting, and burial operations.
• Two new maintenance ships to be delivered in 2028 and 2029
• Built by Colombo Dockyard, Sri Lanka
• Hybrid propulsion reduces CO₂ emissions by 20%
• ROV-equipped for precision subsea operations
• Replaces Léon Thévenin (1983) and Antonio Meucci (1987)
• Expands Orange Marine’s fleet to four maintenance vessels, two cable-laying ships, and one survey vessel
“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,” said Didier Dillard, President of Orange Marine and Elettra TLC.
🌐 Analysis: Orange Marine’s investment signals renewed focus on Europe’s and Africa’s digital resilience as subsea routes grow more strategic amid geopolitical tensions and surging data traffic. The fleet upgrade follows similar modernization moves by SubCom, Global Marine, and NEC, all seeking lower-carbon, high-endurance ships to meet demand for hyperscale and sovereign cable projects.
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in subsea cable infrastructure, policy, and deployments. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/subsea/
November 6, 2025 — Paris — Orange Marine, a subsidiary of Orange specializing in submarine cable operations, has announced the construction of two new state-of-the-art cable ships to enhance the resilience of subsea networks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
With these additions, the Orange Group will operate four advanced cable maintenance vessels in the Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and Red Sea — complemented by two cable-laying ships and a marine survey vessel managed through Orange Marine and its Italian subsidiary Elettra TLC.
“This strategic investment in our fleet will be key to ensuring the resilience and security of the global Internet,” said Michaël Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale. “It demonstrates our confidence in Orange Marine’s prospects and the expertise of its teams.”
Versatile and Future-Ready Cable Ships
The two new sister ships — based on the Sophie Germain design launched in 2023 — will primarily handle maintenance and repair operations while also being capable of laying connecting segments up to 1,000 kilometerslong. They will replace the Léon Thévenin (built 1983, based in South Africa) and the Antonio Meucci (built 1987, based in Italy), which currently maintain cables in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Red Sea.
Construction has been awarded to Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka — the same yard that built the Sophie Germain — with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029.
Lower-Emission Fleet with Advanced Technology
The new vessels will reduce CO₂ emissions by 20 percent compared with current ships, thanks to:
- A streamlined hull optimized for fuel efficiency
- A hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system with onboard energy storage
- Azipod thrusters for precise positioning and reliability
- Shore-power connectivity to eliminate emissions while docked
Each vessel will also feature a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed by Orange Marine for cable cutting, inspection, and burial.
“The aging of the cable ship fleet is a major concern for the submarine cable industry,” said Didier Dillard, President of Orange Marine and Elettra TLC. “These new vessels will give us the most modern fleet in the world, serving our clients globally with a reduced environmental footprint.”
Ship Name Year Built / Delivery Primary Function Operating Region Sophie Germain 2023 Cable maintenance & short-segment laying (≤1,000 km) Mediterranean / Europe Léon Thévenin 1983 Cable maintenance South Atlantic / Indian Ocean Antonio Meucci 1987 Cable maintenance Mediterranean / Black Sea / Red Sea Pierre de Fermat 2014 Cable laying and maintenance Atlantic / Northern Europe René Descartes 2010s Cable laying Global operations Teliri 2000s Cable laying Mediterranean Urbano Monti 2018 Marine survey (route reconnaissance) Global support New Cable Ship #1 2028 (planned) Cable maintenance & laying Atlantic / Indian Ocean New Cable Ship #2 2029 (planned) Cable maintenance & laying Mediterranean / Red Sea
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Follow our ongoing coverage at https://convergedigest.com/category/subsea
