A specialized cable-laying ship has departed from the Baku port in the direction of Kazakhstan’s Aktau port, launching the laying of the submarine section of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable (TCF) Line.
Sea-news.az reports that citing Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, that under favorable weather conditions, the laying of the submarine cable will be completed within 15-20 days.
The armored optical cable, manufactured and tested in China, has been fully loaded into a special reservoir on board the ship via the Kuryk and Baku ports. A specialized vessel with a water displacement of over 20,000 tons and equipped with a dynamic positioning system has been engaged in the marine works. A crew of 70 people, technical control specialists, and representatives of “Kazakhtelecom” are operating on board.
The strategic project is implemented by the “CaspiLink B.V.” joint venture established by Kazakhstan’s “Kazakhtelecom” JSC and Azerbaijan’s “AzerTelecom International” companies. Before starting the work, engineering surveys were carried out at sea, a route bypassing anchorages and military zones was determined, and environmental permits were obtained. The Azerbaijani and Kazakh coastal sections of the cable have already been connected and tested.
It should be noted that the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line, which will play the role of a digital silk road between Asia and Europe, is planned to be fully commissioned by the end of 2026.
