For the first time, this new integration means operators will be able to monitor both Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and State of Polarization (SoP) signals together on a single operational map, enabling faster identification of potential cable threats and clearer distinction between contact and non-contact events. While DAS detects acoustic and vibrational activity near the cable, SoP adds sensitivity to direct fibre disturbances and contact events, improving confidence when assessing potential threats.
By combining Tampnet's fibre sensing infrastructure with Starboard's real-time maritime intelligence platform, operators will gain a more complete operational picture of subsea activity, supporting faster response times and more informed decision-making in protecting critical infrastructure.
"This is an important step forward in how fibre sensing is operationalised," said Trent Fulcher, CEO of Starboard Maritime Intelligence. "By bringing SoP into the same interface as DAS, analysts can access multiple sensing modalities together, directly in the context of maritime activity. It strengthens situational awareness while keeping the workflow simple and intuitive".
Operational SoP and DAS live in the platform
With the latest release now live in Tampnet's testing environment, operations can:
Both sensing types are presented consistently, allowing analysts to interpret event without switching tools or interface. This supports a move from research-driven fibre sensing towards day-to-day operational use.
"With fibre sensing already deployed across most of our subsea network, our goals is to make it operationally useful from day one," said Anders Tysdal, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Tampnet. "Integrating SoP into Starboard alongside DAS gives operators better tools to understand what is happening on and around their cables, enabling faster, more reliable decisions using infrastructure that already exists".
Supporting proactive infrastructure protection
Fibre-optic sensing uses standard subsea communication cables as long, continuous sensors. DAS measures acoustic movement along the fibre, while SoP detects change in the polarization state of light caused by physical disturbance. Together, they provide complementary views of activity near the cable, helping operators identify and prioritise events that may require attention.
The combines DAS and SoP capability supports a range of use cases, including:
About Starboard Maritime Intelligence
Starboard Maritime Intelligence delivers actionable maritime domain awareness worldwide. Its AI-driven platform fuses multi-source data and behaviour analytics into a unified operational picture, helping governments, defence agencies, and infrastructure operators predict threats, prevent incidents, and strengthen maritime security and resilience across global waters.
About Tampnet
Tampnet provides high-capacity, low-latency connectivity across the global offshore energy industry. Operating the world's largest offshore communications network, Tampnet enables digitalisation, efficiency and safer operations across offshore installations, vessels and mobile assets.