Great Sea Interconnector: Nexans requests NAVTEX to resume Crete-Cyprus cable surveys

Great Sea Interconnector Nexans SA EUNOMIA exercise NAVTEX dispute Crete-Cyprus cable

The process to resume seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) electricity cable between Crete and Cyprus has officially begun. Nexans SA, the project's contractor, has submitted a formal request to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a NAVTEX to authorize the resumption of works. The surveys, which are expected to restart after late October, will be conducted by the French-flagged vessel ‘ABEILLE MARENGO’. The research will utilize multi-beam echo sounders, side scan sonar, magnetometers, and video to map the seabed, including taking geotechnical core samples from depths of up to 700 meters.

The project has triggered renewed geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey issued a NAVTEX via the Antalya Station, challenging the jurisdiction of the Greek Heraklion Station regarding the maritime area south of Kastellorizo. This dispute coincides with the scheduled ‘EUNOMIA’ multinational exercise, which involves live-fire activities and aerial operations. Turkey's move is viewed as an assertion of its claims in the region, specifically regarding the issuance of maritime instructions for both military exercises and energy research activities. Greek authorities have emphasized the need to secure the cable project through international support and the potential use of European sanctions.

Entities

ABEILLE MARENGO · Cyprus · France · George Gerapetritis · Great Sea Interconnector · Greece · Greek Coast Guard · Hellenic Coast Guard · Nexans · Nexans SA · Next Geosolution Europe SA · Turkey

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The Coast Guard has granted approval for seabed survey works until December 31, 2026. kriti360.gr · www.notospress.gr · www.haniotika-nea.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · en.protothema.gr
[● 8 SOURCES] The survey will use multi-beam echo sounders, side scan sonar, magnetometers, and video to map the seabed. myportal.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · latofm.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.ethnos.gr · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Geotechnical core samples will be taken from depths of up to 700 meters. myportal.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · latofm.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.ethnos.gr · +2 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Nexans SA has submitted a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a NAVTEX to resume surveys. kriti360.gr · www.notospress.gr · en.protothema.gr · latofm.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · +4 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The French vessel ‘ABEILLE MARENGO’ has been requested to conduct maritime surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) myportal.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · kriti360.gr · www.notospress.gr · latofm.gr · +10 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Work is expected to resume after the end of October. kriti360.gr · www.notospress.gr · en.protothema.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The vessel ABEILLE MARENGO is currently located in Naples, Italy. latofm.gr · sinidisi.gr · www.zougla.gr · thracenews.gr
[● 14 SOURCES] The survey request is limited to areas within Greek territorial waters. latofm.gr · sinidisi.gr · kefaloniamagazine.gr · www.zougla.gr · kriti360.gr · +7 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Turkey issued a NAVTEX challenging the jurisdiction of the Heraklion Station for the EUNOMIA exercise. dete.gr · www.worldenergynews.gr · veteranos.gr · omegalive.com.cy · www.fortunegreece.com