Prysmian, N-Sea join efforts to improve submarine cable safety

Italian cabling company Prysmian Group and Dutch integrated subsea solutions service provider N-Sea Group have signed a seven-year framework agreement for rapid response maintenance and repair of submarine cables.

The companies say that the collaboration is designed to enhance energy security, bolstering the resilience of submarine cables, addressing prevention, detection, response, and reinstatement. 

The terms of the agreement include dedicated engineering services, a specialized vessel, and a team of high-voltage jointers ready to intervene. 

According to Prysmian, the solution, set to complement its proprietary monitoring solutions and overall inspection, maintenance, and repair capabilities, will bring to the market the most effective solution to submarine cable maintenance and repair.

The announcement is said to go beyond the recent request of the European Commission to ensure the safety of critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure by providing the first market-led solution. 

The issue of submarine cable safety and integrity became highlighted in Europe last November, when two subsea telecommunications cables were damaged and disrupted in the Baltic Sea. 

Raul Gil, Transmission EVP at Prysmian, said: “Over the past months it has become clear to the world just how essential undersea cables are. They are at the heart of our collective energy security and digital connections across the world. The European Commission has called for a solution, and we are proud to be the only player that can achieve a market-led response.”