Global Marine Group has contracted Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka to build a next-generation hybrid cable maintenance vessel, scheduled for delivery in Q4 2029. Designed specifically for fiber optic submarine cable repair, the ship features advanced station-keeping, hybrid power systems, and emissions-reduction technologies. This investment marks the first phase of GMG’s fleet renewal to support growing subsea network demands sustainably.
Essex, UK | July 27, 2026 – Global Marine Group (GMG) has announced a major strategic investment in the future of subsea digital infrastructure, signing a contract for the construction of a purpose-built, next-generation cable maintenance vessel.
Scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2029, the vessel will be constructed by Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka. The project marks the inaugural step in GMG’s phased fleet renewal program, designed to meet rising global demand for resilient submarine cable repair and maintenance services while driving down operational emissions.
Engineering for Performance and Sustainability
Tailored specifically for fibre optic submarine cable repair operations, the new ship combines advanced hydrodynamic design with high-specification marine engineering to optimize performance in challenging open-sea environments.
- Hybrid Propulsion Architecture: The vessel features a hybrid power generation system integrating conventional generators with advanced battery storage, enhancing operational efficiency, dynamic positioning resilience, and load management.
- Precision Manoeuvrability: Outfitted with state-of-the-art azimuth thrusters and a hydrodynamically optimized hull, the ship is engineered for superior station-keeping capability and transit efficiency.
- Green Operations: Designed to comply with stringent CLEANSHIP notations, the vessel incorporates optimized fuel-consumption engines, shore power connectivity for zero-emission port stays, and advanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to curb CO2 and NOx outputs.
Commenting on the milestone, Simon Hibberd, Chief Executive Officer of Global Marine Group, noted:
“This new build is about investing ahead of demand. 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.”
Strategic Fleet Expansion
The upcoming addition of the Colombo Dockyard-built vessel complements GMG’s recent acquisition of the CS Clipper, signaling a comprehensive overhaul of the company’s operational assets. As the subsea telecommunications and energy sectors face structural capacity constraints and tightening environmental regulations, the deployment of fuel-efficient, hybrid-powered tonnage ensures GMG can reliably service long-term framework contracts with leading global cable owners.
The vessel will operate under the banner of Global Marine, bolstering a specialized fleet dedicated to maintaining the critical fiber optic arteries that underpin international data transmission and global internet connectivity.
About Global Marine Group
Global Marine Group is a leading independent provider of submarine cable solutions, offering a broad range of services, including consultancy, installation, and maintenance, covering the entire lifespan of a submarine cable system for customers worldwide.
The group consists of two business units: Global Marine, which provides fiber optic cable installation and maintenance solutions to the telecommunications, oil, and gas markets; and OceanIQ, which delivers unparalleled subsea cable data, surveys, route engineering, permitting, and consultancy services for telecom and power cable projects.
Source: Global Marine Group