Euronews OCEAN Season 5, Episode 5 – Critical infrastructure

From powering our homes to connecting us with the world, marine infrastructure has become the backbone of our modern economy. Yet, last year's explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea have led many to wonder: how secure are these vital systems?

In this episode of "Ocean" we take a look at the challenges and innovative approaches to maintaining the security of critical infrastructure at sea. Our story begins at the COASTEX-2023 exercise conducted by the Belgian Navy in the North Sea, where an offshore wind park becomes the setting for a simulated emergency. The scenario unfolds, showcasing the coordination and cooperation required among various authorities, including the navy, military, police, and wind farm operators, to resolve the situation successfully.

We explore the importance of offshore energy infrastructure playing a crucial role in Belgium's electricity supply, learning about the vulnerabilities of underwater infrastructure, such as communication and power cables, and the need for its enhanced protection. We examine the complexities surrounding the protection and maintenance of submarine cables and explore potential solutions, including the use of underwater robots (EU-SCORES project) for monitoring and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.

OCEAN is a Euronews magazine in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE). It features monthly 8-minute videos, where we discover fascinating projects and developments related to the ocean and coastal communities.

Broadcast since 2019, OCEAN features episodes on marine protected areas, small-scale fisheries, ocean energy, aquaculture, IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries and much more. Missed one? Check them out on the Euronews website! You will also find some nice extras about these topics.

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