UK-based Global Marine Group has ordered a new hybrid cable maintenance vessel as part of a phased renewal of its fleet, with construction assigned to Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka. Delivery is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2029, according to a company press release issued late last month.

The vessel is purpose-built for fibre-optic submarine cable repair operations. Its hybrid propulsion system will integrate generators with battery storage to enhance operational efficiency and lower fuel consumption. Additional technical features include azimuth thrusters for enhanced maneuverability, a hydrodynamically optimised hull form, shore power connectivity for in-port emissions reduction, and dedicated emissions-reduction systems.

Global Marine Group, headquartered in Chelmsford, England, is a longstanding provider of subsea cable installation and maintenance services, supporting the global telecommunications infrastructure that carries the vast majority of intercontinental data traffic. The order comes as the submarine cable fleet continues to expand, driven by surging bandwidth demand from cloud computing, hyperscale data centres, and new transoceanic routes connecting emerging digital markets. With over 500 active subsea cable systems spanning more than 1.4 million kilometres worldwide, maintenance providers face sustained operational pressure to keep ageing and newly laid infrastructure in service.

"This new build is about investing ahead of demand," said Simon Hibberd, CEO of Global Marine Group. "It ensures Global Marine has the capability, capacity, and efficiency required to support the next generation of subsea cable networks while reinforcing our position as the market-leading provider of maintenance services worldwide."

The order aligns with broader maritime industry trends toward hybrid and electrified vessel architectures, as shipowners and operators seek to reduce both fuel costs and environmental impact in line with increasingly stringent international emissions regulations. For cable maintenance vessels, which typically conduct extended station-keeping and slow-speed manoeuvring during repair work, hybrid battery systems offer particular efficiency gains over conventional diesel-only propulsion.

Colombo Dockyard PLC, a publicly listed shipbuilding and repair company based in Sri Lanka, has previously constructed vessels for international clients across offshore, port, and specialised maritime sectors.

Source: Ship & Bunker