French shipowner LD Armateurs has announced plans to acquire three platform supply vessels (PSVs) currently under construction and convert them into specialized cable-laying vessels, strengthening the company's offshore cable operations. The three PSVs are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2027. They will then be sent to a specialized shipyard for installation of systems and equipment required for subsea cable laying and repair work, with the converted vessels expected to enter service in early 2028. Following the retrofit, each vessel will have a submarine cable-carrying capacity of 2,800 tonnes, with a configuration suited to a wide range of operational scenarios, including laying and repair of submarine cables and complex projects requiring high operational flexibility and rapid response. The vessels will also feature a hybrid propulsion system designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. LD Armateurs said the investment draws on 25 years of experience providing subsea telecommunication cable laying and repair services. The company stated its goal is to support continued growth in the telecommunications industry and address fleet modernization needs driven by aging assets and limited capacity across the global cable-laying fleet.