Taiwan ramps up measures to protect undersea cables

The Ministry of Digital Affairs said the government will step up enforcement, strengthen undersea cable protection, and expand international cooperation to prevent damage and enhance communications resilience.

As of February, Taiwan had 15 international and 10 domestic undersea cables. The ministry said ships’ anchors cause most cable damage within 24 nautical miles, while damage beyond that range is mainly due to earthquake-triggered seabed landslides.

Taiwan has recorded an average of eight undersea cable damage incidents a year within 24 nautical miles over the past four years, with 38.3% caused by ship anchors. Three of seven incidents last year were linked to anchor damage.

At the end of last year, an offshore earthquake in eastern Taiwan damaged six major international undersea cables. The ministry added that backup cables were used to minimize the impact, and all disruptions were repaired by February.

To better curb undersea cable sabotage, the government has amended the Telecommunications Management Act to increase penalties for damaging telecommunications infrastructure. It has also implemented measures to seize vessels involved in incidents and strengthen ship automatic identification systems.

To minimize the impact of cable damage on communications, the ministry said it will continue developing multiple communication routes and expanding satellite links. It will also strengthen cooperation with international partners to speed up repairs.

The ministry added that it is focusing on better protecting and burying cables, as well as providing subsidies for new cable construction. It also plans to crack down on illegal dredging to protect the seabed and undersea cables.

On March 30, a Chinese vessel reportedly damaged the Taima No. 3 submarine cable while removing a Chinese fishing boat’s hull in Matsu waters. The case is under investigation by the Coast Guard Administration, and Chunghwa Telecom has sent personnel to inspect the cable.

In February 2025, the Hong Tai 58, a Chinese-backed vessel registered in Togo, dropped anchor in a no-anchoring zone off Tainan. It then moved in a zigzag pattern, cutting the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable and causing more than NT$17 million (US$540,000) in damage.

The Tainan District Court ruled that the ship’s Chinese captain, surnamed Wang (王), deliberately damaged the cable. He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay NT$18.22 million in compensation. The administration said the case was a deliberate act of sabotage by China.