EU considers running undersea cable under the North Pole to link Europe to Asia — Polar Connect aims to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and Russia by 2030

Source: Tom’s Hardware

Overview

The European Union is considering building two undersea cables to connect Europe to Asia via the Arctic. One proposal would route the cable through Canada’s Northwest Passage, while the other would start in Scandinavia and run directly across the North Pole. The initiative, called Polar Connect, aims to have the cable operational by 2030 and to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and other geopolitically sensitive chokepoints that currently carry about 90 % of Europe‑Asia internet traffic.

Recent Incidents Prompting the Shift

In 2024 a Houthi missile struck a ship transiting the Red Sea through the narrow strait between Yemen and Djibouti. The ship’s anchor cut three undersea cables that pass through this chokepoint. Repair efforts took more than four months of negotiations before a cable‑repair vessel could safely reach the site, highlighting the vulnerability of existing routes.

Why the Arctic Route?

• Geopolitical independence – The polar route would avoid territories controlled by other governments, unlike alternatives that pass through the United States or Russia.
• Reduced exposure to regional conflicts – By steering clear of the Middle East and other hotspot regions, the cable would be less susceptible to sabotage or collateral damage from ongoing disputes.

Technical and Economic Challenges

• Ice and icebergs – Large ice masses can scrape the seabed and damage cables.
• Lack of ice‑breaking cable‑laying vessels – Deploying the cable would likely require at least two ships or the development of a dedicated ice‑breaking cable‑laying vessel.
• Maintenance costs – Harsh Arctic conditions would drive up repair expenses and prolong downtimes, raising questions about the route’s economic feasibility.

Competing Projects

Meta announced Project Waterworth in early 2025, a 50 000 km undersea cable system intended to connect the United States, Brazil, Africa, India, and Australia while bypassing major chokepoints such as the Middle East and the Strait of Malacca. Like Polar Connect, it seeks to create an “information superhighway” that is less vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.