Lodbrog Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The cargo vessel 'Lodbrog' is scheduled to make its way to Tonga on August 6, following an extended delay in Fiji that lasted over a week due to complications with its starboard side propeller. Concurrently, Vava'u and Ha'apai continue to experience disruptions in telephone and internet services stemming from a prolonged blackout of the Tonga domestic submarine cable, which has now persisted for more than a month after it was severed due to an earthquake on June 29. Originating from Singapore, the 'Lodbrog' faced the setback while waiting for the delivery of a crucial component – the propeller bearing – that was necessary for its repairs. After arriving in Fiji on July 30, the part was expected to depart on August 4 and is anticipated to reach Tonga just in time to address the cable issues. With initial repair expectations set for July, the timeline has now been updated to mid-August, with further delays likely if the damaged cables extend beyond 50 kilometers. The two specific faults identified on the cable are located at distances of 73 km and 96 km from Tongatapu. Tonga Cable Ltd. has indicated that the cable is partially suppressed at 73 km from Tongatapu, while it is entirely severed at the 96 km mark. As the situation unfolds, the arrival of 'Lodbrog' is critical not only for maritime operations but also for restoring connectivity to the affected regions of Tonga.

A significant portion of Tonga's population, nearly one-third, is currently grappling with a lack of internet connectivity, with hopes for restoration only set for mid-August. The situation worsened following a mechanical failure of the cable layer 'Lodbrog', which encountered issues on July 21, 2024, while en route from Singapore. The vessel has remained immobilized in Suva for over a week, primarily due to a fault and an unfortunate entanglement with a fishing net affecting its propeller. Originally, the 'Lodbrog' was expected to reach Tongan waters within a week; however, repairs to the damaged cables in Ha’apai and Vava’u are now at a standstill, further delaying internet restoration for residents.

France Telecom-Orange is on the verge of acquiring key cable assets from Alcatel-Lucent, according to insider reports featured in Les Echos. This acquisition, primarily through its subsidiary France Telecom Marine, aims to secure a significant section of the essential undersea infrastructure managing cables entering France. The deal could potentially include the purchase of Alcatel’s cable-laying vessels, with the transaction valued between EUR 100 million and EUR 150 million. Although this move is strategic, it falls short of addressing the major financial hurdles faced by Alcatel-Lucent, which is currently facing a staggering cash burn of EUR 700 million annually. In a related note, France’s sovereign wealth fund is contemplating acquiring a stake in the cable manufacturing portion of Alcatel-Lucent. The company previously disclosed a EUR 1.6 billion credit line from major financial players, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, intended to facilitate the raising of EUR 1 billion to EUR 1.5 billion through the sale of non-core assets. Notably, the French government holds a 3.6 percent stake in Alcatel-Lucent.