LDA to Convert Three PSVs into Telecom Cable-Lay Vessels

French shipowner LD Armateurs has acquired three platform supply vessels under construction and will convert them into cable-laying ships to install and repair subsea telecommunications cables. The PSVs are due for delivery in the second quarter of 2027 and will then move to a conversion yard, with service entry planned for early 2028. The investment gives LDA its own fleet of next-generation cable vessels, building on 25 years of experience in the telecom cable market.

 

From PSV Newbuilds to Cable Ships

 

LDA announced the acquisition on 5 November 2026, describing it as a new milestone in the development of its subsea cable business. Once the three PSVs are delivered, they will be fitted at a conversion yard with the specialized systems needed for cable operations. These typically include cable tanks, cable engines, a stern chute, and handling equipment for repeaters and joints. LDA has not named the conversion yard.

Converting new offshore vessels rather than ordering purpose-built cable ships gives LDA a faster route to adding capacity. Newbuild cable-layers involve long design and construction lead times, while modern PSVs already offer dynamic positioning, large deck areas and efficient hulls. LDA has done this before, having supported the conversion of the PSV Ile de Molène into a cable maintenance ship at a yard in Gdansk, Poland. That vessel entered service with Alcatel Submarine Networks in 2022.

 

Vessel Capabilities and Propulsion

 

Each converted vessel will carry up to 2,800 tonnes of cable and will be equipped for the full range of cable operations. This includes new cable installation, routine repair and maintenance, and complex projects that require high agility and quick response. Repair capability is especially valuable because cable faults on major international routes must be fixed quickly to restore data traffic. A vessel able to switch efficiently between installation and repair work can be used across more contracts.

The ships will use hybrid-electric propulsion to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Cable work involves long periods of slow-speed station-keeping, where hybrid systems can cut fuel use by running engines at optimal loads and drawing on battery power. This lowers operating costs and emissions. The design also helps operators meet the tightening environmental expectations of telecom clients and port authorities.

 

LDA’s Position in the Cable Market

 

LDA describes itself as the manager of the world’s largest fleet of cable-laying vessels serving the telecommunications industry. The company already manages cable installation and maintenance ships for Alcatel Submarine Networks and Optic Marine Group. Its expertise covers vessel design, construction, conversion and operation, as well as cable installation and repair. In September 2026, it also took delivery of the DP2 multipurpose support vessel TVO Mariner for its subsidiary LD TravOcean, which specializes in cable installation and protection.

Chief Executive Samira Draoua said the company aims to support sustained growth in the telecommunications sector and help address the sovereignty challenges surrounding critical infrastructure. She also pointed to the need to modernize a global cable fleet facing aging assets and capacity constraints. Owning its own vessels allows LDA to move beyond ship management into a direct asset-owning role. It also gives the company more control over availability as demand for cable services rises.

 

Read More: https://oceaneconomist.com/articles/macgregor-wallenius-wilhelmsen-plc-retrofit

 

Launch of the LDA Academy

 

To support the growth of its cable business, LDA is launching the LDA Academy to accelerate the recruitment, training and professional development of seagoing staff. The academy will also support the entry into service of three new methanol-capable, wind-assisted ro-ro vessels being built to carry Airbus aircraft components across the Atlantic. Cable ship crews need a rare mix of maritime and cable-handling skills, which take years to develop. A structured training program is intended to pass on that expertise and widen the talent pool.

The academy is also designed to encourage career mobility across LDA’s different business lines. This allows crews to move between cable, ro-ro, and other specialized operations as the fleet grows. With around 1,800 employees and a fleet of about 40 vessels, LDA needs a steady supply of qualified seafarers. Investing in training addresses a shortage of skilled crews that affects the wider shipping industry.

 

Demand Drivers for Telecom Cable Ships

 

The investment comes as global demand for subsea telecom cables continues to grow. Data traffic driven by cloud computing, artificial intelligence and video streaming is pushing operators and technology companies to build new international cable systems. At the same time, many existing cable ships are decades old and approaching retirement. This leaves the industry short of capacity for both new projects and urgent repairs.

Security concerns are adding to the pressure. Recent damage to subsea cables in several regions has highlighted the strategic importance of rapid repair capability. Governments increasingly treat cable infrastructure as a matter of national resilience, favoring operators that can respond quickly. By adding three modern vessels from 2028, LDA is positioning itself to benefit from both commercial growth and the rising focus on infrastructure sovereignty.

 

Source: LDA