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Group photo with the distinguished guests at the delivery ceremony
The C/S Sophie Germain in all her splendour
Colombo Dockyard PLC made history on 28 July, by delivering the first-ever Cable Laying and Repair Vessel (CLRV) to the European market from Sri Lanka.
Its client Orange Marine, a prominent French company, is a specialist in submarine telecommunications. They excel in every aspect of this field, including initial design, engineering, installation of intercontinental and regional links, as well as the maintenance of existing cables. Their fleet is widely recognised for its expertise and is considered one of the most experienced in the world, representing an impressive 15% of the global fleet in this sector.
Colombo Dockyard delivered the first Cable Layer (CLV) to Japan in 2019. Now, with the delivery of ‘C/S Sophie Germain,’ this becomes the second vessel of its category delivered by the shipyard. This remarkable accomplishment establishes Colombo Dockyard as a leading player in the international market, earning a reputation for successfully delivering two Cable Layer vessels within a short span of just five years.
The ceremonial delivery of C/S Sophie Germain took place at Dock No. 4 south pier of CDPLC premises, and was attended by owners, dignitaries from the Embassies of France and Japan in Sri Lanka, officials from Government institutions including BOI, EDB, SLPA and Sri Lanka Navy, Merchant Shipping, state and private banks, class surveyors, CDPLC top management, and employees.
During the ceremony, Orange Marine Ship Newbuilding Project Director Emmanuel Decugis broke the traditional Sri Lankan milk pot to symbolise the delivery of the ship. He also received the ship model on behalf of Orange Marine. The event was further attended by representatives from Orange Marine, including superintendents and the ship’s crew, making it a significant moment for the company.
French Ambassador Jean-François Pactet, Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, First Secretary Murakami, French Embassy Head of the Economic Department and Economic Advisor Jean Alexander Egea, and Coordinating attaché Imali Akarawita represented the foreign missions.
From CDPLC Chairman Hideaki Tanaka, MD/CEO Thimira Godakumbura, Technical Advisor/Alternate Director Nozaki and a host of other senior management and staff participated at this occasion.
C/S Sophie Germain is a state-of-the-art, high-technology vessel, specifically designed and equipped for sub-sea cable laying and repair operations.
The vessel was designed by Vard Design AS of Norway. The detailed design work was carried out in-house by Colombo Dockyard’s skilled design team.
The vessel is 100 m in length with a beam of 18.8 m and a depth of 7.15 m and shall have a deadweight capacity of 1800 DWT. The vessel can achieve an impressive speed of 14.5 knots and has accommodation facilities for 76 persons. The vessel has three cable tanks to carry fibre optic and power cables. One of the three tanks is fitted with a Carousel system.
This vessel is built to Bureau Veritas (BV) classification society standards and regulatory requirements of the French Flag Authority.
In his address during the occasion, CDPLC Chairman Hideaki Tanaka acknowledged the challenges faced due to the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, leading to the cancellation of significant projects and the risk of losing their standing in the international market. However, he expressed great satisfaction in the achievement of delivering C/S Sophie Germain, which serves as a powerful message to the international market. It demonstrates that Colombo Dockyard is coming back stronger and more resilient than ever, positioning itself as a tough and capable shipyard in the global arena.
CDPLC operating in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Ltd. of Japan continuously showing its presence to the international market and contributes heavily to the national export earnings from the shipbuilding sector with much needed foreign currency to the Sri Lankan economy.
This project will be instrumental in showcasing CDPLC’s reputation in the European market with the brand “Built in Sri Lanka blending Sri Lankan technology with Japanese quality”.
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva with Colombo Dockyard Chairman Hideki Tanaka inspecting the newest cable laying and repair vessel ‘Sophie Germain’ built by the latter before its delivery. The Ministry said Colombo Dockyard informed the Minister that Sri Lanka has received about 50 million Euros as foreign exchange through the construction of this ship
