NTT Communications has recently completed outfitting its new submarine cable-laying vessel, “Kizuna”, which launched late last year.
NTTWEM’s parent company NTT Com and other telecommunication companies and service providers will use Kizuna, along with three existing vessels operated by NTTWEM, to lay and maintain submarine cables for telecommunications networks and cloud services.
Kizuna, which will enter service in the foreseeable future, is the first submarine cable-laying vessel equipped for the dual purpose of serving as a disaster-relief ship in the case of major natural disasters, including by transporting containers, vehicles, cellular-network base stations, satellite communication facilities, and even providing temporary accommodation for NTT Group employees working in disaster zones.
The 8500-ton ship measures 109 meters in length and 20 meters in width has a capacity of up to 60 crew.
NTT personnel was scheduled to conduct a drill this month to practice loading Kizuna with disaster-recovery supplies and equipment that would be used to restore telecommunication services in an emergency.
The name of the new vessel was chosen following an internal poll of NTT Com Group employees. The Japanese word “kizuna” signifies the connection between people and between people and things. The calligraphy of the Japanese character for “kizuna” appearing on the ship’s body is the work of Tetsuya Shoji, President and CEO of NTT Com.