E-marine Hosts ICPC Plenary Meeting in Dubai

E-marine is hosting the 47th Plenary Meeting of the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), in Dubai this week where leading industry figures will discuss and exchange technical, legal and environmental information about submarine power and telecommunications cables.

ICPC is the world’s premier submarine cable industry association and holds the major forum in a region specifically chosen to facilitate wider participation of ICPCs members. The strategic location of the UAE is fitting, not only because of its excellent international connections, but also because many submarine cables pass through the region, making it the ideal place to promote and discuss developments and issues facing the cable industry.

The Dubai Plenary, which is being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, has attracted more than 130 delegates from different countries, representing companies, operating as submarine owners, maintenance authorities, system manufacturers, cable ship operators, submarine cable route survey companies, researchers and even Governments.

Key topics on this week’s agenda include cable protection initiatives, risks to submarine telecommunication cables from renewable energy projects, recommended protection from fishing and shipping industries and intelligent surveillance systems. Presentations include one from Professor Larry Meyer of the University of New Hampshire will outline new developments in the mapping of the deep ocean floor and one frrm Prof. Robert Beckman of Centre for International Law on UNCLOS and the 2012 OSPAR Guidelines on Best Environmental Practice in Cable Laying and Operation.

Omar Jassim Bin Kalban, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of E-marine, said: “As the submarine cable pioneer in the Middle East we make a major contribution to the advancement of the region. Over the last 25 years, E-marine has laid some of the first communication cables to the United Arab Emirates, connecting it with neighboring countries, and the Arabian Peninsula has been a critical location in the progress of submarine telegraphy between the East and the West since the end of the 19th century. This is why we have facilitated bringing the ICPC forum to Dubai, which is at the epicentre of the industry.”

Kalban added: “The ICPC Plenary event will offer stakeholders a chance to interact and discuss present and future issues related to submarine telecommunications cables and submarine power cables, since these are increasingly critical components in today’s global communications networks and power grids.”

The Middle East region has seen substantial growth in the development and deployment of new submarine and complementing terrestrial systems, along with increased demand for international capacity from the Gulf countries.

ICPC’s Chairman Neil Rondorf, said: “The ICPC is delighted to hold its 2014 Plenary Meeting in Dubai with the support of E-marine. It is conveniently located between Europe and Asia, and given the significant growth recorded in the Middle East, thanks to an increase in broadband and mobile penetration, and digital content consumption, Dubai embodies a lot of the industry’s future opportunities and developments. It will confidently build upon the success of the 2013 event and showcase the truly global nature of ICPC activities.”