On 2nd April 2026 Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) auspiciously laid keel and commenced construction of Yard No. 0263, the newest Cable Laying and Repair Vessel for the Orange Marine of France.
This event was graced and witnessed by His Excellency Remi Lambert Ambassador for France, Mr. Matthieu John -Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Philippe Fouet -Economic Counsellor, Mr. Youri Desvigne Hansch -Deputy Economic Counsellor, Ms. Léonie Dauchy -Attaché-Political Section, Lt Cder Florian Bouvenot -Defence Advisor, all from Embassy of France.
The Orange Marine was represented by Mr. Laurent Célérier -Member of the Orange Cyber defense management team/ Defense specialist and reserve naval captain, Mr. Emmanuel Décugis -Ships Technical Director Med Marine Base Director, Capt. Edouard Chrétien -Master Mariner & New building Superintendent, Mr. Godefroy Choirat -Superintendent, Mr. Rohithe Amarasinghe -Project Manager.
The Classification Society Bureau Veritas was represented by Mr. Eric Veith -Director South Asia area - Marine & Offshore, Mr. Prasanna Gunathilake -BV Operations Manager (M&O) Sri Lanka, Mr. Sachintha Karunanayake -BV Surveyor.
The management team led by MD/CEO Mr. Thimira Godakumbura and Director/CFO Mr. Gihan Ravinatha, Mr. K.N.G.W. Kariyawasam GM(Production), Mr. Vajira Rathnayaka GM(SCM), Mr. Mangala De Silva GM(HRD&A), Mr. Prabath Abeysinghe GM(YD), Mr. S.H.P.K. Ranatunga GM(SRB), Mr. Benny Fernando Consultant and Mr. S.M.S.B. Serasinghe AGM(SP) and other senior staff representing Colombo Dockyard PLC participated at this event.
Mr. Thimira Godakumbura MD/CEO of Colombo Dockyard welcomed the distinguished guests for the event and thanked the Orange Marine team for their trust and confidence placed in Colombo Dockyard and entrusting this important project. Mr. Laurent Celerier Member of the Orange Cyberdefence management team, defense specialist and reserve naval captain during his address emphasized the close cooperation between the companies. His Excellency Remi Lambert Ambassador of France during his address mentioned that the relationship between the two countries have grown through a combination of cultural and economic ties and this project marks furtherance of this economic relationship to a next level.
Photo Caption: Mr. Thimira Godakumbura, Mr. Laurent Celerier, HE Remi Lambert addressing the gathering.
The vessel to be constructed is an ultramodern, high technology vessel which is specially designed by VARD Design AS Norway and will be equipped for sub-sea cable lay and repair operation duties with a high focus on good sea keeping qualities, excellent station keeping performance and low fuel consumption.
The vessel shall be 100m in length, 18.8m in breadth and 7.15m in depth and has a deadweight capacity of 1800 DWT. The vessel shall carry out cable operations, including laying, repair and ROV inspection. The vessel shall be built to Bureau Veritas Classification society standards and shall meet the regulatory requirements of the French Flag Authority and is scheduled to be delivered early 2028.
As the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka and one of the most competitive Shipyards in South Asia, CDPLC secured this project to build this Cable Laying and Repair Vessel showcasing the brand presence in European Shipbuilding Market and also Cable Laying Construction Market in the world. CDPLC operates in joint collaboration with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited of India (Mazagon) who owns a stake of 51% at Colombo Dockyard PLC.
Colombo Dockyard contributes heavily to the National Export earnings from the Shipbuilding sector with much needed foreign currency to the Sri Lankan economy and plays a leading role in uplifting & driving the maritime development strategy of Sri Lanka. With a strengthened partnership with Mazagon and a clearly defined strategic direction and growth plan, Colombo Dockyard is firmly committed to achieve growth and long-term value creation for the Sri Lankan economy.
Orange Marine, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Orange Group, a cable ship owner specialized in offshore work on submarine cables, from designing and engineering new projects to installing new connections and maintaining existing cables (telecommunications, energy, or hybrid). Orange Marine can operate worldwide and for any type of customer: telecom operators, cable manufacturers, GAMAM, offshore wind farm operators, etc.
Its expertise is internationally recognized, allowing it to occupy an important place in the world at a time when submarine cables, which are becoming more and more efficient, are of strategic importance for the world economy and are being deployed in every sea and ocean. With its Italian sister company, Elettra Tlc, Orange Marine has a fleet of 6 cable ships and 1 survey ship, representing almost 15 % of the submarine installation and maintenance market. At the end of 2025, Orange Marine's ships had installed over 300,300 kilometers of fiber optic submarine cables and had carried out over 1,200 repairs, some at depths of over 6,000 meters.