Engineering Matters

Connecting a continent

Fugro World images for Fugro.com

Published

28 May 2022

Preparation for installation of one of the world’s largest fibre-optic communications cables is underway. Around 36,000 km long, 2Africa will provide connectivity to at least 16 African countries, and form a critical part of meeting the African Union’s ambition to ensure internet for all by 2030.

Fugro’s survey vessels are circumnavigating the entire African coast to determine the best route for laying the cable on the seabed and bringing it onshore. Just like the engineers who placed the first subsea cables in the 1800s, this enormous feat comes with a number of challenges, including unpredictable weather and restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Guests

Frédéric Cazeneuve, Project Marine Manager, Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN)

René d’Avezac de Moran, Service Line Manager – Hydrography, Fugro

Cynthia Perret, Programme Manager - Submarine Systems, Facebook

Bastian Wichand, Project Manager, Fugro

Partner

This episode was made in partnership with Engineering Matters.

Sea Auk activities on the WaveWalker1 working on windfarm Hollandse Kust Noord

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