BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 31. Installation of the
Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line (FOCL) along the
seabed of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan has
begun.


According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence
and Digital Development, the optical cable, previously delivered
from China to the port of Kuryk, along with three large cable
baskets with a total weight of 600 tons, was loaded onto a
specialized logistics vessel and transported to Baku.


"The transport baskets have now been completely emptied, and the
entire digital artery has been successfully transferred into a
dedicated cable tank on board the vessel. The ship has departed
from the Port of Baku and has begun laying the cable toward the
Port of Aktau," the ministry said.


A specialized cable-laying vessel with a displacement of more
than 20,000 tons has been deployed for the project. The vessel is
equipped with an advanced dynamic positioning system and carries a
crew of 70, including technical supervision specialists and a
representative of Kazakhtelecom.


The project is being implemented by CaspiLink B.V. (formerly
Caspinet B.V.), a joint venture established by Kazakhtelecom and
AzerTelecom Int. A dedicated Jointing Room has been installed on
board to handle emergency situations or cable damage. Both ends of
the cable - the Kazakh and Azerbaijani sections - are currently
housed there, while all conductors and optical fibers have already
undergone testing.







"Under favorable weather conditions, the direct installation of
the subsea cable is expected to be completed within 15-20 days,
while the overall implementation of the technological and
commissioning works is scheduled for completion by the end of
2026," the ministry said.


The ministry noted that during the preparatory phase in 2025,
onshore and offshore engineering surveys were completed, the
optimal route was selected taking into account anchorage areas and
military exercise zones, environmental approval was obtained from
the Mangystau Region Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Management, and the specialized armored cable with
integrated ROPA optical amplifiers was manufactured and
factory-tested in China.


Following the completion of the preparatory stage, the project
entered the active phase of offshore construction. The
Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line is scheduled to be
commissioned by the end of 2026.