Key challenges for pipeline and cable owners

In today’s interconnected world, the integrity and security of subsea cables and pipelines are critical. These vital infrastructures form the backbone of global communication and energy transport, yet their owners face significant challenges—foremost among them being the need to effectively monitor and protect these assets. When a cable or pipeline is damaged, the responsible party often remains unaware, leaving asset owners without timely notice. The consequences of faults and downtime highlight the importance of not only identifying and documenting the vessels involved for insurance claims but, more crucially, implementing preventive measures to avoid such incidents altogether.

• Ensure Continuous Operations: Unplanned downtime can be costly and disruptive. Immediate alerts and rapid responses are crucial to maintain continuous operations and prevent costly outages.
• Visibility and Early Warnings: Enhanced visibility and early warning systems are needed to detect potential threats in real-time.
• Preventive Maintenance: Maintenance is costly, but disruption in service even more so. The challenge is to know where to focus maintenance efforts based on vessel traffic patterns or incidents.
• Changing Threats and Risks: Protecting subsea cables and pipelines from physical damage is a complex and continuous challenge. Factors such as weather, changes in trade routes or geo-political tension can change the risk profile of an area over time.
• Legal and Insurance Issues: Identifying and documenting perpetrators of damage is essential for legal and insurance purposes.