Intertek Joins IMCA to Enhance Subsea Infrastructure Safety

The global data centre industry depends heavily on subsea cable networks to carry internet traffic and connect cloud infrastructure across continents. 

These cables enable low-latency data transfer and support digital services that underpin economies worldwide. But laying and maintaining this critical infrastructure beneath the ocean’s surface creates complex environmental challenges.

To support more sustainable marine infrastructure, Intertek has joined the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), offering its offshore survey and installation expertise to help reduce environmental impacts from subsea cable projects.

Subsea cables link global data infrastructure

The modern data economy runs on a vast mesh of subsea cables stretching hundreds of thousands of kilometres across the seabed. These cables transmit over 95% of intercontinental internet traffic and form the invisible backbone of cloud services, social media, financial transactions and data centre connectivity.

As demand for hyperscale and edge data centres rises, so does pressure on the subsea network. 

Expansions of cable routes, upgrades to bandwidth and increased redundancy require more frequent marine construction. However, these projects come with risks to fragile underwater ecosystems.

According to the World Economic Forum, the ocean absorbs between 23 and 31% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) created by human activity and over 90% of excess heat in the atmosphere. 

Disturbing seabeds during cable installation threatens these natural climate control systems. Sediment plumes, noise pollution and artificial electromagnetic fields can disrupt marine life, migration and breeding behaviours.

Intertek joins IMCA to support industry-wide standards that help subsea infrastructure projects meet both performance and environmental expectations. 

By contributing four decades of offshore survey experience, the company helps ensure that data traffic can scale securely without compromising marine ecosystems.

Andrew Page, Head of Site Characterisation and Engineering at Intertek, says: “Joining IMCA reflects our commitment to advancing safety, sustainability and collaboration across the marine industry.”

He adds: “We’re proud to contribute our expertise to industry best practices and to work alongside a diverse network of stakeholders driving innovation and responsible development in offshore energy.”

Mitigating the impact of marine construction

Offshore construction linked to data centre infrastructure often starts with seabed surveys and route assessments to select the safest and least disruptive installation paths. 

Intertek supports these early-stage processes with advanced geotechnical and geophysical analysis to help operators avoid sensitive habitats and reduce environmental damage.

Underwater construction creates noise that can interfere with marine species’ communication and navigation. 

Cable-laying vessels also displace sediment from the seafloor, which clouds the water and disturbs benthic organisms. Even after installation, cables emit electromagnetic fields that can affect the orientation and movement of fish and other animals.

By providing environmental and technical assessments, Intertek enables cable operators and data centre providers to understand and mitigate these effects. 

Through IMCA, it shares these methods with more than 700 member companies working in offshore engineering and marine energy worldwide.

The collaboration supports global subsea cable projects with guidance on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and biodiversity protection.

Supporting sustainable digital growth

The rise in AI workloads, cloud gaming, streaming and digital banking continues to accelerate data demand. This makes subsea connectivity a critical foundation for digital transformation – but one that must be managed with care.

Intertek’s role extends beyond risk reduction to lifecycle support. The company’s Total Quality Assurance approach helps cable operators manage compliance, lower costs and improve long-term reliability – all essential to keeping data centres online and responsive.

With hyperscale facilities requiring global connectivity and 24/7 uptime, the subsea cable network remains essential. Intertek’s membership in IMCA supports a data centre industry that can grow without putting undue strain on the ocean’s ecosystems. 

Through improved surveys, installations and stakeholder collaboration, digital infrastructure becomes more resilient and environmentally responsible.