Page 41: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2026)

CABLE SHIPS optic cable operations, has implemented a ? eet develop- based on its proven Type 22 platform. Each incorporates two ment strategy, following-up the mid-2026 purchase of cable tanks of an aggregate 6,500-tonne capacity, dual ? ring a 128-metre Norwegian cable ship with an order for a lines enabling both lay and maintenance operations, and a 100-metre newbuild. Nominated shipbuilder Colombo plough trenching and cable burial capability to a depth of

Dockyard has a growing reference list in the sector, and 3.3 metres. The 128-metre CS Genesis is planned for deliv- the vessel for Global Marine will be a customized version ery in 2027, with sistership CS Triumph to follow in 2028.

of a proven type from the portfolio of VARD Design. Each of the 130-metre Ulstein duo have also been speci-

Conceived primarily to support the British company’s ? ed with a maximum intake of 6,500-tonne of ? ber optic long-term telecoms cable maintenance contracts, while cable and will employ the proprietary SX252 design featur- affording more capacity to capitalize on growing demand ing the innovative X-Bow con? guration for enhanced sea- in the subsea cable market, the new ship will incorporate keeping and motion reduction. Highlights of the system 1,800-tonne of cable storage. delivery from Ulstein Power & Control will be variable

She has been engineered with a strong focus on sta- speed generator (VSG) technology and banks of batteries. tion-keeping capability, reduced energy consumption Paris-based Nexans Group strengthened its subsea and resilience. The newbuild will host a hybrid power installation capability this year through the May com- generating arrangement, melding the four main genset, missioning of the Norwegian-built cable layer Nexans diesel-electric system with a bank of batteries. Propulsive Electra. Constructed by Ulstein Verft to a Skipsteknisk effect, maneuvering and position-holding precision will design, the 150-metre Nexans Electra is a derivative of be delivered by way of two Azipod electric main propul- the technologically acclaimed Nexans Aurora, completed sion units aft and two tunnel thrusters forward. by the same shipbuilder in 2021.

The construction award to Colombo Dockyard is fur- ther testament to the Sri Lankan company’s prowess in penetrating a high-end segment of the international mar- ket. References to date include the 113-metre cable layer

KDDI Cable In? nity, delivered to her Japanese owner in 2019, and the 100-metre cable layer and repair vessel So- phie Germain, completed in 2023 for Orange Marine of

France. Two further newbuilds for the French concern are in hand at Colombo and scheduled to be handed over in

March 2028 and January 2029, respectively. The Global

Marine ship is expected to follow during the fourth quar- ter of 2029.

The UK ? rm’s latest acquisition, the 25 year-old Nor- mand Clipper (now CS Clipper), was formalized in June this year pursuant to the end of charter from Solstad

Maritime. Encapsulating the VARD VS4125 design, the 128-metre vessel is arranged with two tanks that can hold 5,000t of cable.

Malaysian subsea digital infrastructure company the

OMS Group has four new cable layers under construction on the strength of ramped-up demand from the telecoms industry. Towards the end of December last, just one week after two newbuilds booked from IHC Offshore Energy were laid down at the Dutch group’s Vietnamese partner yard Paci? c Shipbuilding, OMS sealed contracts with

Norwegian designer and builder Ulstein for two further cable ships. The respective pairs, while distinct in design, will collectively constitute the Great-class.

The vessels contracted from the Royal IHC Group are www.marinelink.com 41

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