Trans-Pacific submarine cable to bypass China
A new Thailand-US Submarine Cable System (THUS) is intended to bypass the South China Sea “and other routes that carry security risks” as Washington seeks to expand its own secure digital infrastructure
TRANS-PACIFIC CABLES
CHINA
U.S.
JAPAN
NEW ZEALAND
Hawaii
PACIFIC OCEAN
FIJI
AUSTRALIA
Project Waterworth: Meta initiative for world’s longest subsea cable – over 50,000km
Operational
2026
2027
2028
2029
No date
CHINA
South China Sea
6
5
4
3
2
1
THUS will skirt South China Sea, spanning up to 18,500km to connect Thailand directly to U.S.
Landing points
1
2
3
4
5
6
Thailand
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia
Philippines
UNDERSEA CABLING
Tar-soaked polypropylene
Mylar tape
Galvanised armoured wires
Polyethlene insulation
Copper sheath
High-strength steel wires
Silicon gel
Fibre-optic cables (4-200 fibres)
Sources: TeleGeography, USTDA
© GRAPHIC NEWS