project brief

Leif Erikson

category
client

Bulk Infrastructure AS

start date

September 2021

end date

October 2022

location

Southern Norway to Goose Bay, Canada

the challenge

Bulk Fiber Networks commissioned WFN Strategies to conduct a feasibility study for the Leif Erikson project—the world’s first 100 percent renewable-powered trans‑Atlantic fiber optic system. Stretching 4,200 km from Norway to Canada, the project presented a host of challenges, including Arctic routing hazards, deep-sea seabed variability, and the need for integrated sustainability throughout system design.

WFN’s team was tasked with evaluating technical feasibility, performing risk assessments, and developing a sustainability roadmap—while incorporating lifecycle planning, supply chain considerations, and marine survey scheduling. Our work included aligning the project with global submarine cable standards and renewable energy benchmarks, ensuring alignment with Bulk’s strategic vision for sustainable digital infrastructure.

project goals

  • Verify technical and environmental viability for a renewable-powered trans‑Atlantic cable

  • Map marine hazards and design survey and routing plans for Arctic and Atlantic sections

  • Integrate sustainability into system specifications, lifecycle planning, and procurement

  • Support renewable energy sourcing and cable routing aligned with sustainability targets

  • Deliver complete feasibility documentation to guide tendering, survey, and construction phases

the result

WFN Strategies delivered a detailed feasibility report that defined route recommendations, hazard mapping, cost analysis, and sustainability integration. The study guided Bulk’s tender process—initiated in late 2022—and positioned Leif Erikson for competitive supplier selection.

Shortlisted for the 2021 Global Carrier Awards, the project showcased leadership in sustainable submarine cable development and demonstrated WFN’s capability to deliver innovative solutions in trans‑oceanic connectivity.

related projects

  • Environmental oversight, permitting, and implementation support for inter-island submarine cable deployment in American Samoa.

  • Technical due diligence for a state-of-the-art trans‑Pacific submarine cable connecting New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

  • Technical due diligence for the Transcaspian Fiber Optic Project, linking Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan across the Caspian Sea.