Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka has carved out a name as one of the most preferred Cable Laying Vessel building shipyards in the world.

CDPLC signed a Shipbuilding Contract with Global Marine Systems Limited of U.K. to build a Cable Laying and Repair Vessel. The Contract was signed in Colombo by Mr. Simon Hibberd CEO on behalf of Global Marine Systems Limited of UK.

Mr. Thimira S. Godakumbura MD/CEO signed the Contracts on behalf of the CDPLC in the presence of Mr. Gihan Ravinatha GM (F)/CFO, Mr. Vajira Rathnayaka GM (SCM), Mr. Mangala De Silva GM(HRD&A), Mr. Prabath Abeysinghe GM(YD), Mr. KNGW Kariyawasam GM(P), Mr. SHPK Ranatunga GM(SRB), Mr. Benny Fernando Consultant, Mr. Prince Lye Head of Shipbuilding Marketing, Mr. Sanjeewa Jayatilake AGM(PD), Mr. SMSB Serasinghe AGM (SP), Mr. Thisara Hewawasam AGM(D) and Ms. Manori Mallikarachchi LC/CS of Colombo Dockyard.

The proposed Vessel shall be ultra-modern and fitted out with high technology machinery and equipment. This Vessel is specially designed and 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 has been designed by Vard Design AS of Norway and an optimized hull form and bow shape developed by Vard has been incorporated in the design, enabling the Vessel to achieve high speeds and minimize its carbon footprints, to be a highly eco-friendly Vessel.

The Vessel shall be built to Bureau Veritas Classification Society standards and shall meet the specified regulatory requirements. The Vessel’s environmental friendliness with focus on low fuel consumption shall be in accordance with BV CLEANSHIP requirements.

The Vessel’s primary activities shall be to carry out cable operations, including laying, repair and Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) inspection.

The Vessel is 100m in length with a beam of 18.8m and a Depth of 7.15m and shall have a deadweight capacity of 1800DWT. 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 fiber optic cables.

The Vessel shall be fitted out with a diesel-electric propulsion plant. The power plant shall consist of four generator sets for electrical propulsion power. The Vessel’s propulsion shall be by two main Azipod propellers in the aft and two tunnel thrusters in the forward and the system will be run and monitored by Integrated Automation System and Power Management System.

It will be worth recording that in 2019, CDPLC successfully built and delivered a 113m Cable Laying Vessel ‘KDDI Cable Infinity’ to Japan and in 2023 built and delivered a 100m Cable Laying and Repair Vessel ‘Sophie Germain’ to France. With the successful completion of all these projects, CDPLC were awarded further shipbuilding contracts to build two more Cable Laying and Repair Vessels for France which are currently under construction scheduled to be delivered in March 2028 and January 2029. The Vessel to Global Marine will be delivered in September 2029.

Now CDPLC has carved out a name for itself as a reputed, reliable and trustworthy Shipbuilder for Cable Laying and Repair Vessel in the World.

With this, it marks Colombo Dockyards stamping of presence into the prestigious European market establishing Colombo as a preferred Shipbuilding destination for European Ship Owners.

As the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka, CDPLC continuously proves its excellence through successful securing and execution of shipbuilding projects worldwide and is the front runner of Sri Lankan industrialization. CDPLC has the prestigious Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, India, as its majority shareholder. Incidentally, this is the 2nd Cable Laying Vessel shipbuilding contract CDPLC was able to successfully secure and enter into following the collaboration with Mazagon Dock.

CDPLC 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 of uplifting & driving the maritime development strategy of Sri Lanka.

Cable Laying & Repair Vessel for Global Marine Systems Limited, UK

Thimira Godakumbura MD/CEO CDPLC and Simon Hibberd CEO Global Marine Systems Limited signing the Shipbuilding Contract

CDPLC Team after exchanging mementos to mark the occasion