EMC West-1

EMC West-1: A planned Mediterranean and Red Sea submarine cable

EMC West-1 is a submarine cable currently in the planning stages, expected to be ready for service in 2027. Designed to connect key locations in Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, it aims to enhance connectivity across the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions. Owned by EMC Subsea Cable Company Limited, this cable is part of a broader system that includes its sibling, EMC West-2.

While the cable's design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and technology have not been disclosed, its planned route and landing points suggest it will play a significant role in interconnecting Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The project remains speculative in certain aspects, as public sources do not yet provide concrete details on its technical specifications or operational goals.

Quick facts

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Route

EMC West-1 is planned to connect five landing points: Athens and Tympaki in Greece, Genoa in Italy, Haql in Saudi Arabia, and Netanya in Israel. This route spans 3639 km and traverses the Mediterranean Sea before entering the Red Sea. The cable's strategic landings suggest a focus on linking Europe and the Middle East, with Athens and Genoa serving as major hubs for European connectivity, while Haql and Netanya provide access to the Middle Eastern network infrastructure.

Each landing point is already host to other submarine cables, which may provide redundancy or complementary services. For example, Genoa is a major hub with connections to systems like 2Africa, ANDROMEDA, and Blue, while Tympaki hosts cables such as 2Africa and India Europe Xpress (IEX). Haql, meanwhile, is also a landing point for EMC West-2 and Saudi Vision.

Why it was built and what it carries

EMC West-1 is being developed to address growing demand for high-capacity connectivity between Europe and the Middle East. The cable is expected to support data traffic for telecommunications, internet services, and enterprise applications across these regions. While its exact design capacity has not been disclosed, the inclusion of multiple landing points suggests a focus on flexibility and regional interconnection.

The cable's role in the EMC family system, alongside EMC West-2, indicates a broader strategy to enhance durability and capacity in this corridor. By linking to existing infrastructure at its landing points, EMC West-1 will likely integrate into a wider network ecosystem once operational.

History: what can be established

EMC West-1 is recorded in the GeoCables database as expected to be ready for service in 2027. No conflicting dates have surfaced from industry sources, but as with all planned cables, delays or changes in timelines remain possible. Publicly available information does not provide details on the project's inception, funding, or construction milestones.

Its sibling cable, EMC West-2, suggests a coordinated effort by EMC Subsea Cable Company Limited to develop a resilient system for the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions. However, specifics about the relationship between the two cables remain unclear.

Capacity and technology

Public sources do not disclose the design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or technology of EMC West-1. Without documentation from the operator, attributing specific figures or technological details would be speculative. Given its regional importance, it is likely to employ modern submarine cable technologies, but this cannot be confirmed without official information.

Latency: the physics

Theoretical latency for EMC West-1 is calculated based on its wet segment length of 3639 km. Light propagation through fiber would result in a one-way latency of approximately 17.8 ms, with a round-trip time (RTT) floor of 35.7 ms. This calculation excludes additional latency introduced by land tails, terminal equipment, and routing.

Live measurements from remote probes provide some insight into current internet paths involving Genoa and Haql, but these reflect the full network path rather than the cable itself. For example, a min latency of 50.4 ms from Haql to Genoa exceeds the theoretical floor, while a reported min of 28.2 ms in the reverse direction is below the physical limit and must be treated as an artifact. Such discrepancies highlight the challenges of measuring cable performance indirectly.

Redundancy: what happens if it breaks

In the event of a disruption to EMC West-1, redundancy may be provided by other cables at its landing points. For example, Genoa is connected to multiple systems, including 2Africa and Blue, while Athens hosts MedNautilus Submarine System and Medusa Submarine Cable System. Tympaki, similarly, is served by 2Africa and IEX. Haql and Netanya have fewer alternatives, but Haql's connection to EMC West-2 could mitigate potential outages.

Repair logistics for submarine cables typically involve specialized ships and equipment to locate and fix faults. The process can take weeks depending on the nature of the issue and environmental conditions, but the presence of alternative cables at major landing points helps ensure continuity of service.

Bottom line

• EMC West-1 is a planned submarine cable expected to be ready for service in 2027.
• Owned by EMC Subsea Cable Company Limited, it will connect Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
• Its design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and technology have not been disclosed.
• Theoretical latency over its wet segment is approximately 35.7 ms RTT, with real-world values likely higher.
• Redundancy is supported by other cables at its landing points, including 2Africa, MedNautilus, and EMC West-2.