Greece Resumes Cyprus Cable Surveys Amid Maritime Jurisdiction Disputes
Greece has authorized the resumption of subsea survey operations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a €1.9 billion subsea electricity cable project intended to link the power grids of Greece, Cyprus, and eventually Israel.
The initiative marks a significant step forward for the broader EastMed energy corridor, though it faces ongoing challenges linked to regional maritime jurisdiction disputes.
Undersea Cable Installation and Survey Operations
The French-flagged research vessel Abeille Marengo is scheduled to commence marine survey work.
Operating on behalf of French cable manufacturer Nexans, the vessel received authorization from Greek authorities following approval by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and the relevant inter-ministerial committee.
Greece’s Hydrographic Service subsequently issued a navigational warning (NAVTEX) covering maritime cable surveys for the GSI project, valid through March 6, 2027.
The initial phase of subsea survey operations is set to focus on areas within Greek territorial waters near Crete before extending along the planned 900-kilometer route toward Cyprus.
Regional Navigational Warnings and Disputed Claims
Following the Greek authorization, Turkish naval authorities issued a counter-NAVTEX, claiming that portions of the intended survey corridor cross areas of Turkey’s claimed continental shelf. Ankara asserted that unauthorized survey activities in these waters violate its maritime rights, stating that prior coordination and consent remain mandatory under a 2019 bilateral agreement signed between Turkey and Libya—a deal rejected as invalid by Greece, Cyprus, and the European Union.
Despite the conflicting navigational notices, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan offered a diplomatic tone in recent statements, indicating that contacts between regional officials remain active.
Greek diplomatic representatives reiterated that Athens acts strictly under international law and retains exclusive regulatory authority over its maritime zones.
For commercial vessel operators, marine contractors, and offshore engineering firms, the active issuance of competing NAVTEX notices highlights ongoing operational risks associated with subsea infrastructure projects in the Eastern Mediterranean. While work on undersea cable installation advances, mariners navigating the survey corridor between Crete and Cyprus are advised to monitor official hydrographic broadcasts, maintain appropriate stand-off distances from working survey vessels like the Abeille Marengo, and account for potential naval oversight in contested waters.
