17.02.2025
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Pierpaolo Barone, the Purchasers’ Representative at Oceans & Cables Ltd. Pierpaolo offers an in-depth look into his responsibilities, the challenges he faces, and his perspectives on the company’s culture and future, especially as Oceans & Cables expands into the offshore renewable energy sector.
Can you describe your primary responsibilities as a Purchasers’ Representative at Oceans & Cables Ltd?
My primary role is to ensure that the work commissioned to contractors is carried out in accordance with the project specifications for which we have been appointed to represent the Consortium of purchasers or a single purchaser. Our main reference is the contract, anything outside of it and this chain of responsibility does not fall within our operational scope.
We interact exclusively with the contractor and do not have direct contact with other companies involved in the project. Our role can be summarised in one sentence: We are the purchaser’s eyes. This applies both to onboard activities and those carried out onshore. Our goal is to ensure that every operation is completed in compliance with the necessary technical and operational specifications to achieve the best possible result.
Since this is a 24-hour operation, our monitoring focuses on the most critical activities. Our work can be divided into two main phases:
- Preliminary Studies
These include all preparatory activities for cable laying, such as seabed analysis to determine the optimal route. In the specific case of submarine fiber optics, geophysical and geotechnical surveys are conducted, which may include core sampling and CPT tests. These studies are also essential in other contexts, such as the installation of power cables or the construction of offshore wind farms.
- Operational Phase (Laying and Installation)
During cable laying, monitoring focuses on key aspects such as:
- Cable tension to ensure its integrity.
- The passage of repeaters and branching units (BUs), which require special attention.
- Specific operations such as cable head retrieval or temporary abandonment.
- Any necessary repair interventions.
The goal is to ensure that all these operations are carried out in compliance with contractual and safety standards. Compliance with HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) procedures is essential to prevent accidents, delays, or, in the worst cases, serious consequences for the personnel involved.
All information and evaluations of the activities performed are compiled in the DPR (Daily Progress Report), a daily report sent to client distribution. This official document includes:
- Operations carried out during the day.
- The work plan for the following day.
- An hourly summary of activities performed.
- A comments section where we report observations and critical notes.
- Any incidents or anomalies detected.
Our role is not decision-making but observational and verification-based. We do not directly intervene in operations but monitor and document every phase of the work, ensuring that everything is carried out according to the required standards. Onboard, the figure of the Client Representative (the contractor’s representative) is our primary reference, and the DPR remains our most powerful communication tool as an official document tracking all performed activities. Most of the time, we attach diagrams and tables to further clarify the status of operations. In many cases, our role also extends to being professional consultants for Purchasers, who rely on our expertise and knowledge gained both through training received at Oceans & Cables and previous experience accumulated over the years.
How do you manage relationships with suppliers, and what strategies do you employ to maintain effective communication and collaboration?
Communication with clients is primarily based on two main tools:
- The DPR (Daily Progress Report) – The daily report serves as the primary means of providing detailed information about ongoing operations. It is enriched with data, often accompanied by tables and explanatory graphs that help clarify both completed and planned activities.
- Emails – Whenever doubts or disputes arise, clients reach out via email to request clarifications. Our response is based on detailed information provided by the contractor and supplemented by our technical analysis. Additionally, we ensure that purchasers are always updated by sending a nightly flash update email summarising the operations carried out during the day.
Our work does not follow a fixed schedule since operations take place 24/7. It may happen that a commercial or technical operation needs to be handled in the middle of the night; thus, we cannot adhere to a standard office schedule. Our availability is constant, ensuring prompt and effective responses, considering that purchasers operate in international consortia, distributed across different time zones. This requires flexibility and adaptability in communications.
In some situations, especially during beach landing operations for the cable’s onshore landing, we can interact directly with purchasers and local authorities. In such cases, it is crucial to explain the installation process and the various operational phases, considering that many local purchasers may not have direct experience with onboard activities.
Our task is to provide clear and detailed information on the work methodology, facilitating understanding and preventing any misunderstandings. If problems or misunderstandings arise with local authorities, our approach is always based on clarity and professionalism, providing the necessary data and documentation to ensure constructive dialogue.
When our work is performed correctly, providing comprehensive and clearly structured information, communication with clients and local authorities becomes smooth and collaborative. This helps maintain a relationship of mutual trust and recognition for the work done, ensuring successful operations.
What are some common challenges you encounter in your role, and how do you address them?
Our work presents several challenges, which can be categorised into two main areas:
Technical and Operational Challenges
Technical and operational difficulties involve both the execution of operations and contractual dynamics with the contractor. Since these projects are commercially driven, aimed at profitability, it is common for the contractor to try to optimise time and costs to their advantage. This can lead to:
- Accelerated or simplified executions of operations that, instead, require greater precision.
- Disputes over how specific tasks should be performed.
Our supervisory role often requires us to report these discrepancies, which are then handled by the appropriate offices, as we do not have direct decision-making power.
Another challenge involves bureaucracy. In certain geographical areas, obtaining permits can be slow or complex, causing operational delays. A frequent issue is the opposition of local fishermen, particularly during pre-laid shore end (PLSE) operations. In some cases, real sabotage occurs, such as placing obstacles in the ship’s path to damage the thrusters and stop the work. In such cases, mediation is attempted through a designated purchaser representative, who negotiates with the fishermen’s representatives to reach a compromise. Usually, the fishermen’s primary goal is to obtain financial compensation.
Other technical challenges include:
- Cable breakage during operations due to miscalculations on slack tension.
- Trawling damage, which can compromise the integrity of the cable after installation.
- Different operational requirements depending on geographical areas: the same operation may require different tools and techniques depending on the seabed type. For example, in rocky seabeds, a rock saw is required to cut the rock and allow the cable to be laid in an adequate trench, preventing excessive exposure or suspensions.
Logistical and Human Challenges
Logistical difficulties mainly arise from the itinerant nature of our work, which requires us to operate in various parts of the world, often in unpredictable conditions. Depending on the country, we may encounter security issues, including:
- Geopolitical risks or local instability.
- Delays in receiving equipment: in some areas, necessary materials may take several days to arrive, slowing down operations.
Another challenge can be language barriers. The local staff or crew may not always speak fluent English. In some cases, heavy accents make immediate understanding difficult. However, after a few days of interaction, communication improves.
Life Onboard
Life onboard presents additional challenges:
- Old vessels with limited space, which can make extended stays (over two months) uncomfortable.
- Food quality, which can vary depending on the region of operation. However, in most cases, requests are managed, and the contractor tries to meet the crew’s dietary needs.
The challenges we face are part of the nature of our work. The key to handling them is adaptability, both in interactions with the contractor and local authorities and in managing life onboard. Maintaining a professional, clear, and diplomatic approach helps overcome technical, bureaucratic, and logistical obstacles, ensuring the success of operations.
How do you collaborate with other departments within Oceans & Cables Ltd to ensure that purchasing activities align with the company’s overall objectives?
All departments at Oceans & Cables are closely interconnected to ensure an efficient and organised workflow. The operational process follows a well-defined structure, involving several interconnected phases:
- Work Assignment
- The process begins with a technical assessment and project allocation.
- The individual responsible for the specific role is assigned.
- Logistical Organisation
- Management of travel and accommodation for the work period, both onboard the vessel and onshore.
- Support during waiting periods before operations begin.
- Technical and Documentation Support
- Provision of necessary documentation for operational activities.
- Continuous assistance throughout the project’s execution.
- QHSE and Standardisation
- Oceans ensures a safe and standardised service, guaranteeing quality and consistency across operations.
- For this reason, an operational handbook has been developed, outlining key points common to all projects, ensuring a uniform service for purchasers.
To maintain a high-quality standard, we have implemented a series of procedures and formalities, including:
- Arrival notifications at the work site.
- Homecoming notifications, managed via pre-formatted email templates.
- Standardised templates for the DPR (Daily Progress Report) to ensure consistency in reporting.
Additionally, there is a strong focus on QHSE, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
All operations are supported by a remote assistance system, which provides continuous support for:
- Logistical matters.
- Technical and operational aspects.
- Document management.
What goals or initiatives are you looking forward to pursuing in your role over the next few years at Oceans & Cables Ltd?
The company has experienced steady growth over the years, with a strong focus on training and staff development. The company has invested both quantitatively and qualitatively, implementing:
- Continuous training and refresher courses to ensure ongoing professional development.
- Collaborations with industry experts, including university professors and professionals with direct field experience.
The strategic approach adopted has proven to be successful, allowing the company and its team to strengthen its market position and secure increasingly significant contracts with major clients in the industry.
The company not only provides internal technical training but also promotes the cultural and professional growth of its employees by encouraging further education.
Oceans & Cables operates in a constantly evolving market, with new growth opportunities driven by:
- Expansion into new sectors and technologies.
- The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into analysis and monitoring operations.
- A growing focus on cybersecurity, which is becoming increasingly crucial in a highly advanced technological landscape.
These developments open new scenarios, making continuous skills updates essential to effectively tackle future challenges.
On an individual level, the drive for professional growth is reflected in the desire to expand and deepen technical and theoretical knowledge. This is achieved through:
- Further university education, to consolidate advanced sector knowledge.
- Learning new roles and specialisations, with the goal of taking on increasingly strategic and specific positions.
Thanks to investments in human resources and the constant evolution of skills, the company is preparing to seize the opportunities offered by an expanding market, reinforcing its position and paving the way for new professional growth opportunities for its team.
Oceans & Cables Limited is a company based in Malta, founded in 2014, operating in the submarine cable industry and related technical services, working with various industries and markets globally. Our specialisation is in the consultancy, planning and implementation of the submarine cable industry for governmental entities, commercial corporations, and offshore renewable energy companies around the world. For more information about Oceans & Cables, please contact us on info@oceanscables.com.
Interview by Charlene Sciberras to Pierpaolo Barone, Purchasers’ Representative at Oceans & Cables Limited.
