On March 8, the spokesman for the US National Security Council stated that the anchor of the bulk carrier Rubymar (Belize flag), which sank in the Red Sea, may have severed underwater cables. These initial assessments show that the anchor, while scraping the seabed, probably severed submarine cables providing communication and internet services.
This incident could have caused the service interruptions confirmed by telephone operator SEACOM on February 26 on the submarine cable linking Mombasa (Kenya) to Zafarana (Egypt). Cable operators plan to begin repairs in early 2Q, but the timeline is dependent on receiving work permits in Yemen’s waters, South Africa-based cable operator Seacom told Bloomberg.
