Colombo Dockyard PLC made history by delivering the first-ever Cable Laying and Repair Vessel (CLRV) to the European market from Sri Lanka.
Colombo Dockyard’s client Orange Marine, a prominent French company, is a specialist in submarine telecommunications.
The vessel "C/S Sophie Germain" is named in tribute to the pioneering French mathematician and philosopher, Sophie Germain.
Colombo Dockyard delivered the first Cable Layer (CLV) to Japan in 2019. This second vessel delivery 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" 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, Mr. Emmanuel Décugis, the Ship Newbuilding Project Director of Orange Marine, broke the traditional Sri Lankan milk pot to symbolize the delivery of the ship and received the ship model as well.
HE. Mr. Jean-François Pactet French Ambassador of Sri Lanka, HE Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki Japan Ambassador of Sri Lanka , Mr. Murakami first secretary of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr. Jean Alexander Egea - Head of the Economic Department and Economic Advisor and Coordinating attaché Ms.Imali Akarawita from Embassy of France in Sri Lanka represented the foreign missions.
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 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 fiber optic and power cables. One of the three tanks is fitted with a Carousel system.
This Bureau Veritas Group class vessel was designed by VARD Norway .The detailed design work was carried out in-house by Colombo Dockyard PLC design team.
In his address during the occasion, CDPLC Chairman Mr. 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.
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”.