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Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Sta’O’Nuk, a new high-capacity submarine cable system that will connect Washington State in the United States with Japan, with operations expected to begin in 2029.
The cable will provide 420 Tbps of capacity across 20 fiber pairs, expanding AWS’s global network and supporting the rapidly growing demand for cloud computing, AI, data centres, streaming and other data-intensive applications.
The project reflects a broader shift in the global digital infrastructure market: hyperscale technology companies are increasingly investing directly in submarine cable networks to secure the connectivity required for their cloud and AI operations.
The 420 Tbps capacity also illustrates how rapidly bandwidth requirements are increasing. AI models, cloud platforms and distributed data centres need huge amounts of data to move between regions, making high-capacity subsea cables increasingly important.
Relevance to SA
This development is highly relevant to SA's subsea, survey, marine, engineering and specialist personnel capabilities.
THE FOUR PILLARS OF SA
Your Trusted Partner for Project Execution
STAFFING SOLUTIONS
The right expertise, wherever the project takes place
Specialised personnel for survey, marine and subsea operations, ROV, diving, cable lay, installation and construction.
ENGINEERING
Engineering solutions for real offshore challenges.
From concept, FEED and detailed design to structural and hydrodynamic analysis, system integration, technical and interface management, bespoke equipment and installation engineering
ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
Independent insight. Greater confidence. Lower project risk.
Independent reviews, HAZOP, FMECA, HSE & operational risk audits, integrity verification, technical & regulatory compliance, gap analysis and failure investigation.
FABRICATION & MAINTENANCE
Turning engineering into operational assets.
Through strategic partners: fabrication, new construction, equipment overhaul, upgrades, maintenance, and shop & field repair.
SA's experience across subsea construction, cable installation, trenching, ROV operations and offshore engineering provides a strong foundation for supporting the growing subsea communications infrastructure market.
Looking Ahead
The future of AI and cloud computing is being built beneath the ocean as much as inside data centres.
AWS's Sta’O’Nuk project shows how the explosion in AI and digital services is driving investment in high-capacity, geographically diverse submarine cable networks.
For SA, this reinforces the growing opportunity within subsea digital infrastructure, where survey, engineering, marine operations and specialist offshore expertise will remain essential to connecting the world's increasingly data-driven economy.
