Europe’s subsea cable infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable due to growing geopolitical tensions, climate-related impacts, and systemic operational gaps, according to two leading industry bodies.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the European Subsea Cables Association (ESCA) and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) voiced concerns about Europe’s readiness to manage cable damage and maintain critical subsea systems. The release comes in response to the European Commission’s Cable Security Action Plan, which seeks to bolster protection, detection, and response capabilities for submarine cables across the continent.
While both organizations welcomed the initiative, they stressed that implementation would require stronger coordination between public authorities and the private sector.
“We commend the European Commission’s efforts, but more structured collaboration with industry stakeholders is essential to achieving the resilience now urgently required,” the statement said.
Subsea telecommunications cables are the backbone of global digital connectivity, handling over 99% of intercontinental data traffic. Submarine power cables also play a key role in supporting Europe’s energy transition by enabling renewable power distribution and cross-border electricity trade.
However, ESCA and IMCA said the sector is struggling with “regulatory barriers, skills shortages and a lack of readily available solutions” that delay emergency repair operations. Common causes of cable damage include fishing activity, anchoring, seismic events, and adverse weather.
According to the statement, the repair process for telecommunications cables is generally more streamlined due to global maintenance zones and long-standing industry agreements. Nevertheless, these systems are under strain. The vessel fleet responsible for emergency response is aging, and a lack of long-term investment limits capacity expansion.
Power cable maintenance presents additional complexities. Operations are often delayed due to fragmented ownership, regulatory inconsistencies between EU member states, and the fact that repair vessels may already be engaged in installation projects when failures occur.
“Power cables are larger and more complex to repair than telecommunications lines, meaning delays can have more severe consequences,” the associations noted.
The industry bodies urged EU policymakers to prioritize reforms in permitting procedures and support the modernization of repair infrastructure. Without intervention, they warned, Europe could face prolonged outages affecting energy supply, communications, and financial transactions.
The European Commission’s Cable Security Action Plan is part of a broader strategy to improve critical infrastructure protection amid rising geopolitical instability and increasing reliance on digital and renewable energy systems.
