Submarine Cables Protection and Regulations A Comparative Analysis and Model Framework

This book highlights the critical importance of laying, quick relinking, and protecting submarine cables with timely approval for carriers and cable repairing ships and how these are most challenging in many jurisdictions. It identifies that a dedicated national instrument on submarine cable as a way forward is yet to be appreciated by many States, and presently, there is no model legal framework for national instruments on submarine cables available. To bridge these gaps, the book undertakes a systematic inquiry and analysis of submarine cable regimes' and relevant authorities. It consults existing knowledge on international law on cables and analyzes specific principles and provisions on laying repair and maintenance of submarine cables and states’ obligations towards protecting cables from vulnerabilities. It touches upon cable regulation in the deep sea concerning the International Seabed Authority and proposed biodiversity agreement. It indicates suitable measures on cable laying, etc., and security risks in the marine space beyond the national jurisdictions. To map States’ response, it explores the domestic cable regimes, including both the selected jurisdictions and Australia and New Zealand, analyses specific legal provisions and institutional set-up, and demonstrates state practices, approaches, and loopholes in the governance of the cable system within national jurisdictions. 

The book suggests adopting the spatial ocean management approach, dedicated regulatory authority, a competent enforcement agency, strict liability with exemplary punishment on cable damage, and the cable system to strengthen the cable system's management. Finally, it arranges the fundamental premises of a common minimum framework for national instruments seeking coastal states’ deliberations in implementing initiatives towards a robust law and policy for reliability, resiliency, and security of the cable system. The cable industries, pipeline, fishing, shipping industries, academicians, government authorities, international bodies, and the maritime community worldwide are looking at the issues and challenges of submarine cable regimes, particularly national regimes and suggestive remedial measures. These stakeholders will find the book a useful reference.

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1      Background 

1.2      Submarine Cables

1.3      Law on Submarine Cables

1.4      Identification of the Research Problem

1.5 Literature Review

1.7   The scope of the Study

Chapter 2: Submarine Cables: Key Principles and International Law of the Sea

2.1      Background

2.2      Growth, Importance, and Challenges to the Submarine Cable

            Infrastructure

2.3      Laying and Protection of Submarine Cable  Requirement of

Regulation on Marine Affairs

2.3.1 freedom of NAVIGATION, fishing and terrorism and submarine cables

2.4      Fundamental Principles and International Instruments on             Submarine Cables

2.5    Convention for the Protection of Telegraph Cables 1884

(the Cable Convention 1884)

2.6      The League of Nations Conference for the Codification of International law 1930  at the Hague (Hague Conference)

2.7      UNCLOS I- 1958

2.8      UNCLOS II- 1960

2.9      UNCLOS III 1982 –laying and the protection of submarine

            Cables

2.10   International Institutional Framework Dealing with the

            Submarine Cables

2.11   Draft Convention for the Protection and Repair of  Submarine

            Cable Infrastructure

2.12     regulation of cables in deep sea bed in relation to the international seabed authority and proposed biodiversity agreement

2.13 Ambiguities in the International Regime on Submarine Cables

 and   the Way Forward

2.13.1 (highlights on the international instrument on laying of cables

2.14 Summary

Chapter 3: Challenges to the Laying and Protection of Submarine Cable in Selected Jurisdictions - A Legal & Comparative Analysis

3.1      Introduction

3.2      Basis for Identification of the Selected Jurisdictions

3.3      Legal Analysis of the Law on Submarine Cables in Selected Jurisdictions- An Overview

            3.3.1 Asia 

                        3.3.1.1 India

                        3.3.1.2 China

                         3.3.1.3 Singapore

                        3.3.1.4 Indonesia-Regulation of Submarine Cables 1999

                                        (KM. No. 94 Tahun 1999)

                        3.3.1.5 Japan

                        3.3.1.6 Vietnam-The Directive, viz. On Strengthening the

                                          Protection of Submarine Cables and Ensuring the

                                          Safety of International Telecommunications 2007

            3.3.2. European Union

                        3.3.2.1 EU Conventions and Guidelines

                        3.3.2.2 United Kingdom 

                                    3.3.2.2.1 Marine and Coastal Access Act of 2009

                        3.3.2.3 France 

            3.3.3 North America

                        3.3.3.1 United States of America

                        3.3.3.2 Canada 

                                    3.3.3.2.1 The case before the Federal Court of Trial Division

                                    3.3.3.2.2 The Case before the Federal Court of Appeal Canada

                                    3.3.3.2.3 The Case before the Supreme Court of Canada

            3.3.4 South America

                        3.3.4.1 Argentina

                        3.3.4.2 Chili