Prysmian, N-Sea team on rapid response maintenance

Italin cabling leader Prysmiana has entered into a significant seven-year framework agreement with Dutch subsea services firm N-Sea. This collaboration aims to enhance the rapid response capabilities for the maintenance and repair of submarine cables, addressing urgent needs highlighted by the European Commission. With this partnership, Prysmian will uniquely position itself as the sole provider equipped with a dedicated vessel for inspection, maintenance, and repair operations, ensuring swift action against disruptions.

Innovative Solutions for Undersea Cable Maintenance

The new partnership between Prysmian and N-Sea is set to revolutionize the submarine cable maintenance landscape. Under the agreement, both companies will deploy specialized engineering services, a dedicated vessel, and high voltage jointers, all prepared to respond at a moment’s notice. This initiative comes in response to increasing concerns over the safety of critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure, as emphasized by the European Commission.

Raul Gil, Prysmian’s EVP of transmission, stated, “Over the past months, it has become clear to the world just how essential undersea cables are. The European Commission has called for a solution, and we are proud to be the only player that can achieve a market-led response.” This statement underscores the urgency of the situation, particularly in light of recent incidents involving cable damage.

In the past year and a half, several notable cable-cutting incidents have raised alarms. For instance, in October 2023, the Chinese-controlled container ship New New Polar Bear caused significant damage to a communication cable linking Sweden and Estonia, as well as a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Additionally, the 23-year-old bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 has been implicated in severing two data cables, while the Taiwanese Coast Guard reported a telecom cable severed off its northern coast, with the Xing Shun 39 vessel suspected. Furthermore, a Russia-linked tanker, the Eagle S, was detained under suspicion of damaging a subsea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia.

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Prysmian’s Strategic Expansion in Connectivity Sector

In addition to its partnership with N-Sea, Prysmian is expanding its footprint in the connectivity sector through strategic acquisitions. Recently, the Milan-based company acquired Channell Commercial Corporation, a provider of integrated connectivity solutions in the United States, for $950 million. This deal includes potential additional payments of up to $200 million, contingent on Channell meeting specific EBITDA targets by 2025.

This acquisition reflects Prysmian’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and addressing the growing demand for reliable connectivity solutions. As the company continues to innovate and expand, its partnership with N-Sea will play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience and safety of submarine cable infrastructure in an increasingly interconnected world.