The East Micronesia Cable System (EMCS) has marked another significant milestone with the successful landing of its subsea cable in Kosrae, part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This marks the second cable landing for the project, following the initial landing in Pohnpei earlier this year.
Kosrae is one of four states within the FSM, and the new landing station brings the region one step closer to enhanced digital connectivity. The EMCS project is a collaborative effort between the FSM, Kiribati, and Nauru governments and is co-funded by Australia, Japan, and the United States.
The fiber optic cable will span approximately 2,250 kilometers (1,400 miles) and run from Tarawa in Kiribati to Pohnpei, FSM, connecting to the existing HANTRU-1 cable system linking Pohnpei to Guam. The project began in 2022 and is scheduled for full completion in 2025, with final landing stations to be established in Pohnpei, Micronesia, and Yaren, Nauru, later this year.
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The total cost of the project is estimated to be AUD 135 million (USD 84 million), with AUD 60 million (USD 37 million) provided through a grant from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). The AIFFP, which supported a subsea cable project in Timor-Leste in 2023, provides grant and loan financing to support infrastructure development in Pacific Island nations.
Australian company, DXN, is leading the manufacture and installation of the project’s cable landing stations (CLS). DXN was awarded a USD 3.8-million contract in May 2023, with the design, prefabrication, and construction taking place at its facility in Perth.
Meanwhile, NEC is responsible for constructing, supplying, and installing the submarine cable infrastructure. The Japanese technology giant secured the contract in June 2023.
Once completed, the EMCS will provide critical connectivity for the region, supporting economic growth and digital inclusion across Micronesia and the broader Pacific.
