Greek authorities have submitted a request to allow the Abeille Marengo to carry out seabed surveys in Greek territorial waters, paving the way for the potential resumption of work on the electricity link between Greece and Cyprus.
A key development has emerged in the Great Sea Interconnector project, with the French-flagged vessel Abeille Marengo set to undertake seabed surveys required for the planned electricity connection between Greece and Cyprus.
According to Greek news outlet iefimerida.gr, the Greek government has taken a significant step towards restarting the surveys, with the Hellenic Coast Guard announcing that a request for an exemption had been submitted to allow the specialised vessel to operate under the French flag.
The request concerns marine surveys within Greek territorial waters to prepare for the installation of the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables that will connect Crete with Cyprus.
Advanced equipment to map the seabed
The survey operation will use specialised equipment, including a multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, a magnetometer and an underwater video recording system.
These technologies will be used to produce a detailed map of the seabed along the proposed cable route, helping engineers determine the most suitable alignment for laying the cables.
Geotechnical samples will also be collected from areas where the sea reaches depths of up to 700 metres. The findings will help establish the most appropriate methods for protecting the cables after installation.
Vessel to notify Greek authorities in advance
The Abeille Marengo, which is currently in Naples, Italy, will be required to notify the relevant Greek authorities at least 72 hours before beginning operations.
Notifications will then be provided daily and will include the coordinates of the survey areas, details of the work being carried out and the safety measures in place.
In its announcement, the Hellenic Coast Guard clarified that, at this stage, there had been no other changes to the survey procedure or the planned route of the electricity cable.
NAVTEX notice expected in the coming weeks
Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou recently said that the relevant NAVTEX maritime safety notice for the new surveys was expected to be issued within the coming weeks.
The notice is an important step in coordinating the planned marine operations.
Under the current schedule, work is expected to resume by the end of 2026. However, a further extension remains possible if deemed necessary.
The Great Sea Interconnector is intended to establish an electricity link between Greece and Cyprus through an undersea cable, connecting Cyprus to the wider European electricity network. The seabed surveys are a preparatory stage, intended to establish the route and technical requirements for the cable installation.
