Try to ask friends how Internet works; how is data carried between continents. Most of the adults think that satellites carry the data from continent to continent. Kids think fairies may be involved. All of them are wrong. It is not a tall claim. Without ships you would not have Internet, International communication, Internet of Things ( IoT), 5G & Cloud Networking. Almost ALL data is carried around the world through cables….large subsea cables that are laid on to the sea bed by specialized ships. This has been going on since 1866 and as of the latest figures more than 559 sub sea cables panning more than 1,500,000 Kilometres are in place. While these submarine cables predominantly benefit the countries that connect directly to them via coastal landing stations, neighbouring landlocked countries also benefit via terrestrial cross-border fibre connections.
These fibre optic cables serve as the information highways for both civilian and defense organizations. Meta is doing a 50,000km (more than the earth’s circumference) long subsea cable that will connect five continents, be laid at an average depth of 7000m and will complete hopefully by 2039.
These hi-tech specialized ships called the “CABLE LAYERS” or Cable Laying Ships have complicated equipment and highly trained staff. With the help of these highly skilled staff, support vessels and miscellaneous vehicles at their disposal, the cables are carefully laid (about 2km at a time) on to the seabed and then embedded into the bed where possible to provide extra security.
A good depiction of the working of a Cable Layer is available as a short video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JWTXtVOTQgE?si=0PGFvzoJF8unsE_I.
The cables technology related to the data carriage and speeds have improved in recent years which also means that many older cables require to be replaced and this will continue forever, till satellites actually can carry so much data between continents. Near shore the cables risk damages due to ships anchors and fishing nets. Offshore damages are mainly due to earthquakes and natural disasters. In areas of escalating tensions, there are many incidents of sabotage and pirates; to the extent that there is a term called ‘Cable Terrorism’ for the damages caused to cables by some organizations with intention to incapacitate the countries that benefit from these.
Think about it, where is your nearest coastal landing station? Try to find out and appreciate this man-made wonder…enabled by ships…that is reaching this station and empowering everything in your life without you really knowing much about it.
Capt Sastry – CEO/ ASL
