Colombo Dockyard launches Cable Laying and Repair Vessel for Orange Marine, France
Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka and one of the most competitive Shipyards in South Asia, successfully launched a Cable Laying and Repair Vessel (C/S Sophie Germain) to Orange Marine France on November 3, 2022 staying on course with its shipbuilding activities, resilient and undeterred by the challenges faced.
Orange Marine is a French company specializing in the field of submarine telecommunications, from the initial design, engineering, to installation of intercontinental and regional links, and maintenance of existing cables. The Orange Marine’s fleet is one of the most experienced in the world and represents 15% of the world fleet.
The ceremonial launching took place at the Dock No 2 of CDPLC premises and the occasion was graced by the participation of owners, dignitaries from Embassy of France in Sri Lanka, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, officials from government institutions including SLN, EDB, SLPA, Customs, Officials from state and private banks, ship designers, Class surveyors, CDPLC top management and employees.
Didier Dillard CEO of Orange Marine cut the rope to mark the ship launching with the presence of Jean-Luc Vuillem in Executive Vice President International Networks, Emmanuel Decugis Ship New building Project Director and the superintendents of Orange Marine.
The basic design of this vessel was developed by Vard Design AS of Norway to be a highly eco-friendly vessel and Geir Rygg Berge Department Manager Project Engineering and Mr. Roy Arne Stavik SVP Sales hos VARD also joined the occasion representing Vard Design. Detailed design was carried out inhouse by the CDPLC design team.
This vessel is built to Bureau Veritas (BV) classification society standards and regulatory requirements of the French Flag Authority. Representing Bureau Veritas, surveyors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Chamila Yapa graced the occasion. CDPLC Chairman Hideaki Tanaka expressed that “Today’s function is a good chance to show Colombo Dockyard’s presence to international market and also good chance to send the message that Colombo Dockyard will never give up under lot of difficulties faced by Sri Lanka and we will continue to be a leader of cable layer vessels in international market”.
This is another project showcasing CDPLC’s reputation in the European Market with the brand “Built in Sri Lanka blending Sri Lankan technology with Japanese quality” receiving high recognition and acceptance in the European market. Katsuki Kotaro, Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and Aurélien Maillet Chargéd ‘affaires, aJean Alexander Egea-Head of the Economic Department, Economic Advisor, David Erdreich-Deputy Head of the Economic Department from Embassy of France in Sri Lanka represented the foreign missions.