Iran War Halts 3 Persian Gulf Cable Projects, Delaying 28,000-Mile Europe-Asia Link
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 14
Iran War Halts 3 Persian Gulf Cable Projects, Delaying 28,000-Mile Europe-Asia Link
4 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 14
At least three high-capacity undersea internet cable projects in the Persian Gulf have been indefinitely paused after the Iran war halted offshore work in early March.
The Ile de Batz was laying part of a 28,000-mile cable linking Europe to Asia when its owner declared force majeure and sent the vessel back to port in Saudi Arabia, where it remains stranded.
Even with a permanent ceasefire, installation is unlikely to restart immediately because unexploded missiles and mines may now litter sections of the seabed near planned routes.
Magnetic and acoustic rescans will likely be needed before work can resume, and a UAE-based subsea cable consultant said almost all affected projects are now expected to face delays.
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