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LD Armateurs to Convert Three PSVs into Subsea Cable-Laying Ships by 2028

By: IDCNOVARegion: North America
French maritime group LD Armateurs (LDA) is expanding its subsea cable installation and repair capacity amid growing global demand for submarine telecommunications infrastructure, announcing the acquisition of three Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) currently under construction that will be converted into dedicated cable ships.

The three PSVs are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2027 and will then be transferred to a conversion site for cable operation modifications, with commissioning targeted for early 2028. Each vessel will be capable of carrying 2,800 tonnes of cables and will be equipped for both installation and repair of submarine cables as well as more complex subsea projects. The vessels will also feature hybrid electric propulsion systems designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

The move comes as the global cable ship fleet faces mounting pressure. According to the International Cable Protection Committee (ISCPC), only around 60 cable ships are currently in operation worldwide, many of which are more than 30 years old. With more than 400 subsea cables in service and demand continuing to rise, the limited supply of vessels can delay new projects and slow critical repairs.

Samira Draoua, CEO of LD Shipowners, framed the investment as part of a broader strategic push: "With 25 years of experience installing and repairing submarine telecommunications cables on behalf of its customers, LDA is choosing to have a fleet of new cables. Our ambition is to support the sustained growth of the telecommunications sector, contribute to the sovereignty challenges of critical infrastructure and anticipate the modernization of an aging and undercapacity global fleet."

LDA has also launched the LDA Academy to accelerate recruitment, training, and development of future crew, with Draoua adding that the dual technological and human investment "marks an important step in the Group's growth strategy by strengthening its positioning across the entire value chain of submarine telecommunications cable systems."

Founded in 1911 as Louis Dreyfus Shipowners, LDA operates a fleet of approximately 30 ships and provides subsea cable services through its subsidiary LD TravOcean, which was established in 1977 and acquired by LDA in 1998. The wider company currently manages 12 cable ships in total—six cable-laying vessels and six maintenance ships operated on behalf of ASN and OMS—alongside various support vessels. InfraVia is an investor in the group through its InfraVia European Fund VI.

The expansion reflects a wider industry trend of fleet renewal and capacity building, with operators including OMS, Orange, ASEAN Cableship, and ASN having recently added new vessels to their respective fleets as global connectivity demand accelerates.