The first vessel of its generation designed specifically for laying and repairing subsea cables, Sophie Germain is a true technological achievement and a source of pride for the Group. Named in tribute to Sophie Germain, the French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher whose work earned her the Grand Prize in Mathematical Sciences in 1815, the ship reflects both innovation and excellence. This achievement was made possible by Orange Marine, our dedicated subsidiary, which operates 15% of the world’s cable ship fleet. Drawing on decades of experience in subsea cable operations, Orange Marine defined every aspect of the vessel’s design to meet the highest operational standards.
Subsea cables are a critical part of global telecommunications, carrying 99% of international phone calls and intercontinental data traffic. Laid end to end, they span 1.3 million kilometers, the equivalent of circling the Earth 33 times.
Capable of working on fiber optic telecommunications cables as well as power cables used in offshore wind farms, Sophie Germain plays a key role in ensuring reliable, uninterrupted connectivity worldwide. As one of the few operators with end-to-end control of connectivity, Orange continues to position itself at the cutting edge of cable installation and maintenance technologies.
Building a new cable ship represents a greater investment than converting an existing vessel, but it also allows for significantly higher performance and a lower environmental footprint. Sophie Germain is equipped with an offshore crane and a remotely operated vehicle capable of cutting, inspecting, and burying cables. Its hull has been specifically optimized for repair missions and tested in towing tanks, reducing fuel consumption by around 25 percent compared with the global average for cable ships.
Based in La Seyne-sur-Mer, the vessel can be deployed within 24 hours, 365 days a year, to carry out maintenance and repair missions in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Black Sea.
While docked, Sophie Germain can connect to a solar power system, reducing carbon emissions during port stays. This results in a 22% reduction in CO₂ emissions and an 82% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. Combined with refrigerant leak detection systems, a specialized anti-fouling hull coating, and large onboard waste storage capacity, these features earned the vessel the Cleanship certification, reflecting its minimal environmental impact.
Sophie Germain is more than just a ship. She is a source of pride for Orange and a concrete response to a modern challenge: combining progress with sustainability
