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Last month Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard reached a significant milestone in handing over the cable layer and repair vessel (CLRV), Sophie Germain, to the French company Orange Marine. This is the first time the yard has built this type of vessel for the European market.

The ceremonial delivery of Sophie Germain took place at Dock No 4 south pier and was attended by representatives of the owner, dignitaries from the Embassies of France and Japan in Sri Lanka, officials from government institutions, state and private banks, class surveyors, senior yard management and employees.

Sophie Germain is a advanced technology vessel, specifically equipped for sub-sea cable laying and repair operations. The vessel was designed by Vard Design of Norway, although the detailed design work was carried out in-house by Colombo Dockyard.

The BV-classed, 1800 dwt vessel is 100m in length with a beam of 18.8m and a depth of 7.15m. It 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 and one of the three tanks is fitted with a carousel system. 

In his address to mark the occasion, Colombo Dockyard Chairman Hideaki Tanaka acknowledged the challenges faced by the shipyard due to the financial crisis in Sri Lanka, which led to the cancellation of some significant projects and risked damaging the yard’s status on the international market. However, he expressed great satisfaction in delivering Sophie Germain, which sends out a “powerful message to the international market that 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.”