A specialized cable-laying vessel has departed from the Port of Sumgayit and begun laying the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line toward Kazakhstan's Port of Aktau.

Axar.az reports that the information was provided by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

The ministry said the underwater cable installation is expected to be completed within 15–20 days, depending on weather conditions.

The armored fiber-optic cable, manufactured and tested in China, was first delivered to Kuryk Port before being transported to Baku. It has now been fully loaded onto the cable-laying vessel and placed in a specialized storage system on board.

A specialized vessel with a capacity of more than 20,000 tons and equipped with a dynamic positioning system is involved in the operation. The ship carries a crew of 70 people, as well as technical experts and a representative of Kazakhtelecom.

The project is being carried out by CaspiLink B.V., a joint venture established by Kazakhstan’s Kazakhtelecom JSC and Azerbaijan’s AzerTelecom International. The Kazakh and Azerbaijani sections of the cable have already been connected, and all optical lines have been successfully tested.

Before the offshore work began, specialists conducted engineering surveys, selected a route avoiding anchorage areas and military training zones, and obtained the required environmental approvals.

The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026.