Description
The explosion that rendered part of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea significantly damaged, highlighted the presence and vulnerability of subsea critical infrastructure to a global audience. Over 850,000 miles of cable lies beneath the world's oceans, powering nations and ensuring the smooth operation of global communication networks. States have become increasingly aware of the need to map their maritime critical infrastructure, better understand the threats posed to it and adequately prepare protective measures. However, in many cases the infrastructure itself is financed, installed and maintained by the private sector. This situation demands that public and private actors effectively cooperate on maritime critical infrastructure protection, a situation that requires appropriate governance structures to ensure strategic and operational synergies. This paper explores the nature and extent of public-private cooperation for critical maritime infrastructure protection in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, advancing the case that more networked governance can offer a more flexible and dynamic structural arrangement through which cooperation can flourish.
