Trusted Experts in Submarine Cable Consultancy & Engineering Design

Leading Consultancy in Subsea Cable Management

At Oceanlink, we provide market-leading consultancy and engineering services for submarine cable systems in the offshore wind and interconnector sectors. With over a decade of hands-on experience, we support asset owners, developers, and contractors at every stage of the subsea cable lifecycle—from concept to operation.

We work with:

• Developers constructing transmission assets

• EPCI contractors delivering and installing cable systems

• OFTOs and investors managing operational assets or transaction due diligence

Our Core Services

Submarine Cable Route Engineering

We design efficient, risk-mitigated cable routes through detailed analysis of site investigation data, seabed conditions, and vessel capabilities.

Risk Management & CBRA

Our in-house engineers and geotechnical specialists conduct hazard identification, seabed mobility assessments, and Cable Burial Risk Assessments (CBRA) to ensure safe, long-term cable protection.

We optimise installation strategies and vessel planning, drawing on deep operational insights and real-world installation experience.

Installation Planning & Vessel Mobilisation

Lifecycle Support

From early-phase feasibility through to maintenance, protection, and repair, we offer tailored solutions for every project stage.

With Oceanlink, you gain a partner that understands the technical, operational, and commercial demands of subsea cable projects—helping protect your infrastructure and your investment.

Our Deployment Process

Deploying submarine cables is a complex, multi-stage process involving meticulous planning, precise marine operations, and advanced engineering.

OceanLink Co. regularly supports this industry with specialized consultancy services in route engineering for both survey and installation phases.

Route Planning and Desktop Study

Long before a single cable is laid on the seabed, extensive planning sets the foundation for a successful deployment. A critical early step is designing the optimal route, which carefully balances technical feasibility, environmental stewardship, and economic efficiency.

OceanLink Co. conducts a Desktop Study (DTS) — a comprehensive review that assesses marine charts, geological surveys, bathymetric data, and historical records. This study helps identify potential hazards, environmentally sensitive areas, and challenging seabed conditions. It also evaluates existing infrastructure, shipping routes, and regulatory constraints.

The findings from the desktop study guide the preliminary cable route design, prioritizing:

• Avoidance of protected marine zones and cultural heritage sites

• Identification of areas requiring cable burial or armoring

• Mitigation of environmental impacts through strategic routing

Marine Survey and Operational Permitting

Following the desktop study, the project advances to practical data acquisition. Detailed marine surveys (geophysical and geotechnical) verify seabed conditions, sediment types, and potential obstacles identified in the DTS.

OceanLink Co. advises on optimal survey methodologies and provides engineering input to refine the proposed route.

Simultaneously, operational permitting processes are initiated, securing necessary approvals from national and regional maritime authorities, fisheries, and environmental agencies.

Cable System Design, Manufacturing, and Installation

Insights from route engineering and survey results inform the cable system design, dictating specifications such as cable type, burial depth, and armoring requirements. Manufacturing follows, adhering to precise design parameters.

Finally, the project enters the marine installation and commissioning phase, where the cable is laid according to the engineered route.

OceanLink Co. continues to support operations by providing route engineering expertise during installation, ensuring safe and efficient deployment.

Cable Loading and Mobilization

Once the cable system design has been finalized and the route survey completed, cable manufacturing commences in accordance with the approved specifications. Upon completion of the manufacturing phase, the cable is carefully loaded onto the cable laying vessel (CLV) from the designated storage facility.

The cable is typically coiled into a large turntable or cable drum aboard the vessel, where it will be systematically spooled out during the installation process. This operation requires meticulous handling to prevent cable damage and ensure correct lay orientation.

Following successful loading operations, the CLV undergoes a comprehensive mobilization process, which includes equipment checks, crew onboarding, and final route briefing. Once mobilization is complete, the vessel transits to the project site, ready to commence installation activities.

Pre-Lay UXO Survey

The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) along the proposed cable route presents significant safety and operational risks. To mitigate this, a high-resolution pre-lay UXO survey is conducted prior to cable installation in areas where UXO risk has been identified.

This survey involves the deployment of advanced geophysical and geotechnical survey equipment, often complemented by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video inspections to verify seabed conditions and detect potential UXO hazards. If UXOs are detected, a detailed risk assessment is performed, and mitigation measures are planned in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practice guidelines.

Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR)

Prior to the cable lay operation, a Pre-Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) is performed to clear the seabed of debris, discarded fishing gear, ropes, wires, and other potential obstructions. This is considered an essential preparatory activity to ensure a clean and obstacle-free installation corridor.

A grapnel is towed along the planned cable route by the cable laying vessel, effectively removing seabed debris that could hinder the plough or cable burial tools. All materials recovered during the PLGR are handled and disposed of in accordance with current marine environmental protection standards and recycling regulations, ensuring environmentally responsible operations.

Main Cable Lay & Burial

Once the cable route has been cleared, the cable lay operations can begin. The cable laying vessel travels along the cable route as engineered by OceanLink Co, laying the cable onto the seabed as it goes. The cable is typically fed out of the cable tanks and into a chute that guides the cable as it leaves the ship, ensuring it lays into the correct position on the seabed

The preferred option in shallow water is to bury the cable under the seabed to protect it from potential damage by commercial fishing or ship’s anchors. The usual and most efficient method for cable burial is using a cable plough which is towed on the seabed behind the cable laying vessel. The cable passes through the plough which lifts a wedge of sediment so that the cable can be inserted below, consequently minimizing seabed disturbance to a very narrow corridor.