Marine Infrastructure Resilience

Key #takeaways from the #EU Expert Group #report “Security and Resilience of EU Submarine Cable Infrastructures” (Jan 2026), and how it operationalises the #EU #ActionPlan on #Cable #Security (21 Feb 2025) across #prevention, #detection, #response & #recovery, and #deterrence: ▪︎ Why it matters: repeated incidents have highlighted the criticality + vulnerability of submarine data and power cables for Europe’s #connectivity and energy security. ▪︎ #Risk lens (7 scenarios): from coordinated cable cuts (territorial waters/EEZ/high seas) and landing-site attacks, to power-cut driven regional outages, disruption of maintenance and #supplychains, plus accidental damage (fishing/anchoring) and natural events impacting multiple #assets. ▪︎ The “Cable Security #Toolbox” = 10 recommended mitigation measures (6 strategic + 4 technical/support), designed to reduce #threats, #vulnerabilities and #dependencies. ▪︎ Strategic focus areas: ◇ Build #redundancy (route + landing diversity; cross-border planning; faster permitting). ◇ Reinforce EU maintenance & repair capacity (vessel renewal, modular kits, exercises; scrutiny of non-EU acquisition of critical repair assets). ◇ Reduce exposure to non-EU suppliers/operators in critical segments; strengthen EU manufacturing, stocks & depots. ◇ Upgrade #regulatory & administrative protection (incl. #NIS2/#CER implementation; single national coordination points; incident exchange mechanisms; maritime spatial planning; UNCLOS-aligned protection laws). ◇ Deepen coordination with industry + Member States + NATO/international bodies (information-sharing, exercises, global fora influence). ▪︎ Technical priorities (operators + suppliers): stronger physical/#cyber protection, hardened landing stations/NOCs + power resilience, better monitoring/detection (AIS/VMS, DAS/SMART/OTDR), and more interoperable/standardised repair capabilities + skills. ▪︎ Investment signal: “Cable Projects of European Interest” (CPEIs): 13 priority areas (geographic + horizontal capabilities) proposed to target public funding where private investment alone may not close resilience gaps. ▪︎ Scale & sequencing: staged over 3× five-year windows, with indicative total capex ~€10.16–€10.265bn, spanning key theatres (Baltic, North Sea/North Atlantic, Med/Black Sea, Red Sea–Indian Ocean) plus maintenance fleet renewal and multipurpose vessel + modular equipment stock. #SubseaCables #CriticalInfrastructure #Cybersecurity #Resilience #EU #Geopolitics #Telecoms #EnergySecurity #SupplyChain #MaritimeSecurity https://lnkd.in/dhumnUmD

Mangroves are the most undervalued infrastructure on Earth. These coastal forests deliver $88,000 per hectare in risk reduction value. That's 5x cheaper than building traditional sea walls. ↳ Store 4x more carbon than rainforests per hectare ↳ Reduce storm surge wave heights by 70% ↳ Support 80% of global commercial fish species ↳ Filter pollutants from coastal waters ↳ Protect communities from rising seas But we're losing them at 3x the rate of other forests. Their complex root systems create natural seawalls while capturing carbon and nurturing marine life. One system, multiple returns. For investors and planners looking at coastal resilience, mangroves offer proven, measurable impact. What's stopping us from scaling nature's most efficient climate solution?

The entire global economy runs on strands of glass thinner than a human hair. And four companies control almost all of it. Karim Al-Mansour's latest piece on submarine cables was awakening. The core insight: nearly all international data, financial, commercial, military, etc largely travels not via satellites but through undersea fiber optic cables. And the infrastructure is shockingly fragile. A few things that stood out: 1/ Hyperscalers have displaced sovereign telcos. Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon now own or control nearly half the world's submarine bandwidth. The architecture of the internet is literally being rewritten around the cloud footprints of these four behemoths 2/ The repair fleet is a massive (and geopolitical) bottleneck. There are only a few dozen dedicated cable repair vessels on Earth. When multiple cables failed along West Africa in 2024, entire nations were throttled for weeks. For fragile states with a single cable connection, a break is existential. 3/ The emerging market stakes are enormous. Whether HMN Technologies (China) continues to expand or is blocked by Western regulators will determine whether Africa, South Asia, and Latin America align toward Beijing's digital sphere — or not. This is the kind of infrastructure story that rarely gets the attention it deserves. We obsess over chips and AI models, but the physical layer underneath is what actually makes the digital economy possible. For those of us investing in global markets, this matters deeply. A founder building a fintech in Lagos or a health platform in Karachi is only as resilient as the cable connecting them to global cloud infrastructure. Infrastructure isn't just roads and ports anymore — it's the seabed. 📎 Full piece: https://lnkd.in/gmWFcaq2 #infrastructure #emergingmarkets #geopolitics #venturecapital #fintech #globalinnovation

🚨 🚢 ⚓️ - New Recorded Future Insikt Group report! This research reveals that geopolitical tensions, limited repair capacity, and physical vulnerabilities are converging to sharply raise the threat profile for submarine cable infrastructure. Our global communications backbone is under an increasing strain that must be urgently addressed. Please read and share with your networks! ♦️ 44 publicly reported cable damages occurred globally from 2024 to 2025 — 30% of them in just two regions: the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan, both hotspots of great power tension. ♦️ Anchor dragging, often by Russia- and China-linked commercial vessels, has emerged as a low-cost, plausibly deniable tactic for cable sabotage. ♦️ Limited redundancy, chokepoint geography, and a global shortage of repair ships make many regions disproportionately vulnerable to outages, particularly West and Central Africa and isolated islands in the Pacific. ♦️ In some of the most impactful cases (for example, the Red Sea, South Africa, and West Africa), multiple cables were simultaneously disrupted, leaving countries without reliable alternatives or swift repair options. As hybrid warfare and gray zone conflict escalate, targeting subsea infrastructure offers adversaries a way to disrupt critical communications — including military coordination and financial transactions — without triggering kinetic escalation. Both Russia’s hybrid doctrine and China’s coercive posture on Taiwan have increasingly focused on undersea infrastructure. A few recommendations for the international community: 🔧 Strengthen public-private investment in cable resilience, including expanding repair fleet capacity. 🔍 Improve monitoring at cable chokepoints and landing stations, often the most accessible and fragile parts of the system 🗺️ Prioritize route diversity and redundancy in new deployments, and fast-track diplomatic clearance protocols for cable repair in disputed or conflict-prone waters. As cyber, kinetic, and infrastructure threats blur, submarine cables remain both a lifeline and a target. This report underscores the need for urgent, coordinated international action to defend the literal backbone of the internet. Blog: https://lnkd.in/dgRcadzm PDF: https://lnkd.in/dwpu9uRa

Coastal engineering is as much an art as it is a science, and nowhere is that more evident than in the design of a breakwater roundhead. While the "trunk" of the breakwater bears the brunt of the waves, the roundhead is the most vulnerable point. Why? Because wave energy doesn't just hit it; it wraps around it. Here are the key factors we consider when orienting and designing these critical structures: 1. The "Shadow Zone" Strategy The primary goal is diffraction control. We orient the roundhead to maximize the shadow zone behind the structure, ensuring that the energy wrapping around the curve doesn't compromise the calm waters of the harbor or create "hotspots" at the berths. 2. Managing the 135-Degree Rule Research shows that the most significant damage usually occurs in the sectors between 45° and 135° from the direction of wave approach. Proper orientation involves aligning the transition from the straight trunk to the curved head to ensure these critical zones are reinforced and angled to dissipate energy, not concentrate it. 3. Navigational Geometry Orientation isn't just about physics; it’s about the captain on the bridge. We often design an "overlap" between the main and lee breakwaters. By extending the main roundhead past the secondary one, we block the "straight shot" for waves into the entrance while providing a safe, predictable path for vessel maneuvering. 4. Asymmetric Stability We don't always need a perfect circle. Modern design often uses "skewed" orientation for armor units, placing the heaviest protection on the seaward-facing curve while tapering down as we move into the protected leeward side. In coastal infrastructure, the roundhead is the final line of defense. Getting the orientation right is the difference between a resilient harbor and a costly repair project. #CoastalEngineering #CivilEngineering #MaritimeInfrastructure #BreakwaterDesign #PortEngineering #OceanEngineering #InfrastructureResilience

In Denmark, coastal engineering is being fundamentally reimagined through the implementation of innovative wave-pool systems that simultaneously protect shorelines and generate clean energy. These advanced structures are specifically engineered to absorb the impact of powerful storm surges by channeling incoming oceanic waves into strategically designed basins. As the water enters these pools, the immense force of the surge is dissipated, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion for nearby residential and commercial communities. Once the seawater is successfully captured within the basin, the system efficiently harvests the stored energy of the moving water. The natural pressure and kinetic movement of the waves inside the pools are used to drive specialized turbines, converting the mechanical force of the ocean into a reliable source of electricity. This dual-purpose infrastructure ensures that the same barriers protecting a town during a severe storm also contribute to the local renewable energy grid once the initial surge has passed. As of April 1, 2026, these Danish coastal projects are serving as a global benchmark for climate-resilient architecture and sustainable development. By integrating disaster mitigation with green energy production, this technology demonstrates how modern engineering can work in harmony with natural forces rather than simply resisting them. This evolution in infrastructure highlights a future where coastal cities can achieve both greater physical security and a reduced carbon footprint through a single, unified design approach. #RenewableEnergy #CoastalEngineering #SustainableInfrastructure

Innovative Coastal Protection with Eco-Friendly Solutions 🌊 Building Resilience: Understanding Concrete Mangrove Structures(Reef Balls) 🌱 As coastal engineers and environmental stewards, we are constantly exploring innovative methods to protect our shorelines and enhance marine ecosystems. Today, I want to delve into the fascinating concept of concrete mangrove structures( Reef Balls). In the images, we observe a series of concrete forms strategically placed in a coastal zone. These eco-engineered structures serve multiple purposes and embody several important principles in modern coastal management. Key Features-Enhanced Habitat Creation: The concrete molds mimic natural mangrove root systems. They create habitats for marine life, promoting biodiversity in the area. By providing shelter, these structures encourage the growth of various fish species, crabs, and other aquatic organisms, significantly contributing to the local ecology. Coastal Erosion Control: One of the primary functions of these structures is to combat coastal erosion. The design helps reduce wave energy, protecting the shoreline from the relentless forces of the sea. As sediment accumulates around these structures, they help rebuild coastlines and create new land over time. Natural Mangrove Restoration: These concrete units can be integrated strategically with natural mangrove plantings. They provide both a physical anchor and a conducive environment, allowing young mangroves to establish roots and thrive in challenging conditions. By promoting the growth of mangroves, these structures enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change impacts. Sustainable Design and Benefits Material Choices: The use of concrete in this context is both innovative and pragmatic. Local materials can often reduce transportation costs and carbon footprints associated with construction. Long-Term Durability: Designed to withstand harsh marine environments, these structures offer a long-lasting solution that can adapt to changing tidal conditions. Community Engagement: Implementing such projects fosters community involvement. Educating local populations about the benefits of mangroves can lead to greater support for such initiatives. Conclusion The images depicts more than just a series of concrete forms; it represents a forward-thinking approach to coastal management. By combining engineering and ecological principles, we can create solutions that not only protect our shorelines but also enhance marine biodiversity and promote environmental stewardship. What innovative solutions have you implemented in your own projects? Let’s collaborate to create sustainable futures for our coastlines Image used for educational and technical illustration purposes. Rights belong to the respective owner. #CoastalEngineering #EnvironmentalSustainability #MangroveRestoration #InnovativeSolutions #MarineBiodiversity #ErosionControl #Resilience

Today, my report on subsea cable security was released by the Montreal Institute for Global Security (MIGS). The study was a result of our research trip to Tokyo earlier this year to meet with several Japanese stakeholders and look for Canada-Japan collaboration in this important area. We made some closed door presentations today on the findings to government colleagues and interested allies, but I'd like to share a bit about the study and why we think the area deserves more attention. Undersea cables, carrying over 95% of global data, are no longer just technical infrastructure. It is clear that they are strategic assets at the center of geopolitical competition. In this policy paper, I examine how rising grey-zone activity, cyber vulnerabilities, and maritime coercion are exposing critical weaknesses in this unseen backbone of the global economy. The paper also highlights a growing convergence between Canada 🇨🇦 and Japan 🇯🇵: both recognize that protecting subsea cables is essential not only for economic resilience, but for national security and the stability of the rules-based order—across both the Indo-Pacific and an increasingly contested Arctic. To move from alignment to action, the paper outlines a Canada 🇨🇦–Japan 🇯🇵 dual-theatre approach: → Establish a permanent bilateral working group on subsea cable security (intelligence sharing, joint threat assessments, crisis response) → Harmonize physical and cybersecurity standards for cable infrastructure → Enhance maritime domain awareness (satellites, AIS, Arctic surveillance) → Strengthen rapid repair capacity, including Arctic contingency planning → Invest in joint innovation (AI-enabled monitoring, autonomous inspection systems) Thanks to all the Japanese (and Canadian) organizations and government ministries we engaged with over the trip and looking forward to keeping momentum on this important topic.

I am pleased to share my newly published article in #Marine #Policy, written with Kazuki Matsuo and Moeri Matsuda, and with the support of #GIFJapan: “Mapping undersea cable risk from bathymetry to geopolitics: Evidence-based rankings and tailored resilience strategies.” https://lnkd.in/du2W5D8E #Undersea #communication #cables carry more than 95 percent of global data traffic, yet their security remains poorly understood—particularly in the #IndoPacific, where strategic rivalry, dense cable networks, and complex seabed environments intersect. This article addresses three questions that have not been previously examined in a systematic, evidence-based manner: 1. #Where and under #what conditions should states prioritize cable security? 2. #Which cables are most likely to be attacked—and by #whom? 3. #How do threat patterns evolve across different levels of #geopolitical #tension? To answer these questions, we combine an original expert survey with semi-structured interviews across military, industry, and academic communities, and apply Friedman tests with Kendall’s W to evaluate how expert risk assessments vary across #cable #systems, #maritime #zones, and #tension levels. The results reveal patterned heterogeneity rather than uniform vulnerability: landing stations matter, but not equally; some cable systems are systematically riskier than others; legal maritime zones do not reliably predict exposure; and gray-zone phases between peace and war emerge as especially dangerous windows for selective #sabotage. The research provides what we hope are notable contributions to understanding cable security and broader issues of sabotage and gray zone/hybrid warfare: 1. We provide an empirical ranking of sabotage risk across three Indo-Pacific cable systems; 2. We show that operational and #bathymetric conditions matter more than jurisdictional boundaries; 3. We demonstrate how threat perceptions shift with escalation. From this, we derived a six-point, evidence-based policy framework spanning tiered risk postures, segment-level protection, gray-zone readiness, operational assessment, regional seas cooperation, and national preparedness. By linking expert data directly to actionable policy prescriptions, the article moves beyond generic calls for cable protection and offers a practical roadmap for how states can prioritize, coordinate, and harden the world’s most indispensable—yet often invisible—global infrastructure. The article is published with open access with free downloads: https://lnkd.in/du2W5D8E

⚓ The World Bank and EcoShape released the report Nature-based Solutions for Ports: Ports are critical for trade and growth, but they face mounting risks from climate change, coastal erosion, and biodiversity loss. The study highlights how NbS can strengthen resilience while supporting sustainability. 🌱 What are NbS for Ports? Using mangroves, wetlands, reefs, and dunes to protect coastlines. Integrating green buffers with traditional port infrastructure. 📊 Key Benefits 🌊 Climate resilience: Natural barriers reduce storm surge and flood risks. 🐟 Biodiversity: NbS protect marine ecosystems and enhance fisheries. 💰 Cost-effectiveness: Often cheaper over the long term than “grey” infrastructure. 🌍 Carbon storage: Coastal ecosystems lock away significant carbon, aiding climate goals. 🚢 Why Ports Need NbS Now Rising sea levels and extreme weather threaten global supply chains. Ports expanding without ecological safeguards risk higher costs and delays. Combining NbS with engineered solutions can deliver triple wins—economic, environmental, social. 🤝 The Way Forward Collaboration among governments, port authorities, engineers, and local communities is essential to scale NbS from pilots to mainstream adoption. 💬 Do you think global ports are ready to embrace NbS as a core strategy—or will traditional “grey” infrastructure still dominate? #NatureBasedSolutions #Ports #ClimateResilience #SustainableInfrastructure #BlueEconomy #CoastalProtection #Decarbonisation