Undersea Internet Cables Face Increased Sabotage Risk Amid Global Tensions

Undersea Infrastructure at Risk

The majority of global internet traffic relies on subsea fiber-optic cables, which share ocean floors with oil and gas pipelines and power cables. This critical infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to sabotage due to the rise of gray-zone warfare and open conflicts worldwide.

Growing Sabotage Concerns

Elisabeth Braw's new book, 'Undersea War,' examines the increase in suspicious incidents where ships dragging anchors for extended periods have damaged undersea cables and pipelines. These incidents have occurred in various regions, from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Distinguishing Accidental from Deliberate Damage

Approximately 60 percent of undersea cable damage is attributed to human error from fishing and shipping activities, while natural hazards account for a smaller portion. Annually, 150 to 200 cables are damaged but typically repaired quickly. However, heightened international tensions have led to closer examination of certain incidents, with governments investigating potential deliberate acts.

Notable Incidents

One documented event, the 'Christmas Day massacre' of 2024, involved the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S dragging its anchor for 56 miles, severing or damaging four data cables and the Estlink 2 power cable in the Baltic Sea. Another incident in November 2024 saw the Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 damage two data cables in the same region. While Finnish authorities are prosecuting officers from the Eagle S, the crew of the Yi Peng 3 was not prosecuted by European authorities.