The European Union is considering a public-private initiative worth “hundreds of millions” of euros to acquire ships capable of swiftly repairing undersea cables in the event of damage or sabotage.
Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea have raised concerns, as several telecommunication and power cables connecting different nations across the seabed have sustained damage from passing vessels. While the exact causes remain uncertain—whether accidental or intentional—these disruptions have prompted the EU to prioritize infrastructure resilience, including strengthening the continent’s fleet dedicated to cable repairs, Bloomberg reports.
“We are currently discussing with member states to determine the necessary funding,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president for technological sovereignty, security, and democracy, during the Munich Security Conference. “When it comes to security, it’s clear that urgent measures are needed.”
Currently, the industry depends on a small and aging fleet of repair vessels, with fewer than 100 available worldwide. In 2023, French telecom company Orange SA launched a new repair ship for €50 million ($52.5 million).
The initiative to acquire new vessels would be structured as a “public-private partnership,” with contributions expected from the EU, individual member states, and telecommunications companies. “Everyone must contribute,” Virkkunen emphasized.
Funding for the EU’s share will be sourced from the existing budget since the next financial framework will not take effect until 2028. The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is set to unveil more details in its upcoming action plan in the next few weeks.
