French Vessel Seeks Approval to Resume Great Sea Interconnector Surveys

A French-flagged vessel, the Abeille Marengo, has submitted a request to Greece for permission to conduct seabed surveys in its territorial waters. The surveys are intended to map the seabed and establish technical requirements for laying and protecting the submarine electricity cable, which will connect Cyprus to Greece through the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI). The Hellenic coast guard confirmed that the vessel will have to notify Greek authorities at least 72 hours before beginning work and provide daily updates, including coordinates of survey areas and safety measures. The coast guard stated that there have been no changes to the survey procedure or the planned cable route. Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou recently announced that a NAVTEX maritime notice for the new surveys is expected to be issued in the coming weeks, with work expected to resume by the end of the year.