The US and Norway Collaborate to Enhance Security of Subsea Infrastructure
The United States and Norway have recently announced new measures aimed at bolstering the security of subsea infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing collaboration with the private sector. This joint effort is part of a broader initiative involving Nordic-Baltic countries to safeguard critical undersea assets.
Key Agreements
Among the key agreements reached between the US and Norway are:
- Harmonizing and developing channels for sharing real-time situational awareness and incident information across national governments, allies, and public and private sector stakeholders.
- Identifying opportunities for public-private partnerships to enhance repair and maintenance fleet capacity, including mechanisms for securing the supply chain and funding mechanisms.
- Encouraging commercial cable operators to establish a repository for sharing information on cable faults, repair work, and repair timelines.
- Streamlining equipment import/export processes to facilitate faster transportation of necessary equipment for repairs.
Ministerial Support
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, emphasized the importance of safeguarding subsea cables and pipelines, which are vital for Norway’s security. He highlighted the need for collaboration with neighboring countries and the US to address vulnerabilities in undersea infrastructure.
Eide stated, “For Norway, which has several thousand kilometers of subsea cables, it is very important to prevent attacks on this infrastructure.”
International Cooperation
The US, along with Nordic and Baltic countries, have been working together to mitigate the risks posed by potential attacks on subsea infrastructure. Norway recently endorsed the Joint Statement on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables, which outlines principles for ensuring safety, reliability, and resilience in the deployment and maintenance of subsea cables.
Furthermore, during a NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius advocated for strengthening NATO’s role in protecting critical undersea infrastructure within the alliance’s area of responsibility.
This collaborative effort underscores the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding undersea assets and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.