Trans Adriatic Express (TAE)

Overview

The Trans Adriatic Express (TAE) is a submarine cable system that directly connects San Foca, Italy, to Seman, Albania. Spanning a total length of 106 kilometers, the cable was officially ready for service in 2023. Designed to enhance regional connectivity, the TAE provides a high-capacity, low-latency link between the Balkans and Southern Europe. This system plays a vital role in supporting data transmission for businesses, governments and consumers, while also serving as a redundancy option for other submarine cable systems in the region.

The TAE is a strategic addition to the growing network of submarine cables in the Mediterranean, offering improved resilience and capacity for international communications. It is particularly significant for Albania, a country with a developing digital infrastructure, as it connects directly to Italy, a key hub for European and global networks. By linking these two shores, the TAE contributes to regional economic growth and digital transformation.

Route and Landings

The Trans Adriatic Express (TAE) connects the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea at Seman, Albania, to the western shore at San Foca, Italy. This relatively short route of 106 kilometers crosses the Adriatic Sea, a critical maritime corridor that has historically linked the Balkan Peninsula to Southern Europe. The cable's path avoids some of the deeper sections of the Adriatic, leveraging the relatively shallow and stable seabed in this area to facilitate installation and maintenance.

Seman, located near the city of Fier in Albania, is a strategic landing point that integrates the country into broader European data networks. This connection enhances Albania's digital infrastructure, providing a direct link to Italy and, by extension, the rest of Europe. On the Italian side, San Foca, a coastal town in the Apulia region, serves as a key landing site for international submarine cables. Its location on Italy's southeastern coast makes it an ideal gateway for connecting Southern Europe to the Balkans and beyond. Together, these landing points form a vital corridor for regional and international data traffic.

Ownership and History

The Trans Adriatic Express (TAE) is jointly owned by EXA Infrastructure and TAP AG. EXA Infrastructure is an independent company specializing in the development and operation of digital infrastructure, including submarine cable systems. TAP AG, or Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, is a subsidiary of OMV Group, a leading European energy company. While TAP AG is primarily known for its role in energy infrastructure, its involvement in the TAE reflects a broader commitment to regional development and connectivity.

The TAE became operational in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of digital infrastructure in the Adriatic region. Although specific details about the cable's construction timeline have not been disclosed, its completion underscores the growing demand for reliable, high-capacity communication links between Southern Europe and the Balkans. The collaboration between EXA Infrastructure and TAP AG highlights the strategic importance of integrating energy and digital infrastructure to support regional growth.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Trans Adriatic Express (TAE) has revealed key performance metrics that underscore its efficiency and reliability. Across 236 measured corridors, the cable has demonstrated an average round-trip time (RTT) of 92 milliseconds. This performance is consistent with the cable's relatively short length of 106 kilometers and its role as a high-capacity link between Albania and Italy. Notably, the best RTT observed in our measurements is 0 milliseconds, indicating instances of near-instantaneous data transfer under optimal conditions.

The TAE's performance metrics highlight its importance as a low-latency connection in the region. By providing a direct route across the Adriatic Sea, the cable minimizes the delays associated with longer or more circuitous paths. This capability is particularly valuable for applications requiring real-time data transmission, such as financial services, cloud computing and video conferencing. The TAE's robust performance contributes to the overall resilience and efficiency of digital networks in the Balkans and Southern Europe.