International Cable Protection Committee

Beyond the Global Pandemic – The Critical Role of Submarine Cables will be the theme for the forthcoming 2021 first-ever virtual annual plenary meeting organised by the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to be held from 19-20 May 2021.
Not only does the ICPC welcome participation from ICPC Member companies, but non-Members that have a vital interest in the protection of telecommunications and power cables worldwide, are also invited to submit a presentation abstract in response to the ‘Call for Papers’ that address the aforementioned theme. Recommended topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• Critical Infrastructure: New challenges in installing, maintaining, and protecting submarine cables during the global pandemic and in the post-pandemic era.
• Reliability and Security: How science, engineering, survey, and planning developments enhance the reliability of submarine cable systems. Securing critical international infrastructure by working with authorities, stakeholders, and other seabed users.
• Resilience: Protecting the interests of international telecommunications and power cable system users through collaboration, innovative design, and diversified routing.
• Sustainability: Advancing science, technology, law, manufacturing, installation, and repair so submarine cables remain neutral to benign in the marine environment.

ICPC General Manager Ryan Wopschall asserted, ‘Over a live two-day period, Plenary attendees will join a hybrid live and pre-recorded Plenary meeting to learn about some of the most timely and emerging topics and issues in the submarine cable industry. Dynamic panel discussions and presentations will provide lively engagement while participants will also hear from ICPC advisers, working group chairs, and Member and Invited Speaker presentations. Although a virtual event, our industry keeps moving forward, as do we as an organisation. We look forward to the 2021 Plenary and invite the invaluable participation of our Members and broader submarine cable community.

The ICPC requests interested presenters to submit abstracts for proposed presentations no later than Friday, 13 February 2021. For enquiries, send an e-mail to: secretary@iscpc.org.

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) is pleased to announce its public launch of a bi-annual, marine-focused newsletter titled “Submarine Cable Protection and the Environment.” The publication—written by ICPC’s Marine Environmental Advisor (MEA), Dr Mike Clare—is a new and timely reference for all seabed users, the science community, and the general public who share the same vital goal as the ICPC—safeguarding submarine telecommunications and power cables worldwide. Exclusive to ICPC Members only, access to an historical archive of more than 200 issues of an “Environment Update” publication are available on-demand, but now the “Submarine Cable Protection and the Environment” publication is being made available twice a year to the industry and public.

ICPC General Manager Mr Ryan Wopschall stated, “Having Mike’s expertise on staff truly benefits the ICPC and its Members, but we also acknowledge his thorough research can benefit the broader submarine cable industry, other marine users and stakeholders, and the wider public. Mike has written articles that not only get readers to think about the importance of the marine environment in our local daily lives, but also provides insights into the sustainability and resiliency of global submarine cable infrastructure and its critical role in our world today.”

ICPC has always been committed to understanding through peer-reviewed research the relationship between the behaviour of external factors and human activities and how the submarine cable industry operates within the marine environment. This publication promotes a forward-thinking scientific research approach and considers current and historic topics of relevance to the marine environment.

LYMINGTON, United Kingdom—After a thorough selection process from candidates within the global and wide-ranging submarine telecommunications and power cable industries, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the world’s leading submarine cable protection organisation, announces the appointment of its new General Manager (GM), Mr Ryan Wopschall.

Active in the ICPC as a member-company representative and speaker since 2010, Mr Wopschall brings to the organisation deep knowledge and experience regarding protection of submarine cables, which provide more than 97 percent of the world’s Internet, data, and voice connectivity. With 14 years of experience in marine survey, cable route engineering, and project implementation, he has worked on numerous projects in over 20 countries. Mr Wopschall has presented many times at prominent industry conferences and holds a B.Sc. in Engineering Geology, plus a post-graduate certificate in Business Development and Management. He replaces Mr Keith Schofield who stepped down from the role on 1st July.

Commenting on his new appointment Mr Wopschall stated, ‘I am very excited to have been selected by the ICPC as the new GM and look forward to working with the Executive Committee (EC) and its Members and advisors. We are in evolving times and that gives the ICPC the challenge and opportunity to evolve as well. I look forward to listening to the valuable guidance of the Members as well as providing leadership and growth to this global organisation.’

In his role, Mr Wopschall will work closely with the EC, its legal and environmental advisors as well as lead the Secretariat team ensuring the ICPC’s goals and initiatives are carried out while maintaining the vision of the organisation and promoting the importance of safeguarding submarine cables worldwide.

ICPC Chair Malcolm Eccles, welcomed Mr Wopschall stating, ‘On behalf of the organisation, we are very pleased to have Ryan on board. Having been involved in previous ICPC initiatives and outreach in the past, plus a vast background in the submarine cable industry, he is a great asset to the ICPC and its membership.’