The French research vessel Abeille Marengo is moving into the survey phase of work for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection, entering international waters after completing calibration and verification procedures for its onboard equipment.
According to Proto Thema, the vessel, chartered by French company Nexans, has completed the testing and calibration of its survey instruments to ensure the accuracy of measurements that will be carried out during the project.
Survey work gets under way
The start of the surveys comes after both Greece and Cyprus issued the necessary permits for the project.
The development has also drawn a reaction from Turkey, which continues to assert jurisdictional claims in the area.
Cyprus issues counter-NAVTEX
The Republic of Cyprus issued a counter-NAVTEX on Wednesday in response to a Turkish notice, stating that the survey activities of the Abeille Marengo within Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf have received the required authorisation from the competent authorities.
According to the notice, the work has been approved under Licence 05/2026 of the Republic of Cyprus and has been notified through marine notice NW 345/26 issued by the Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC).
Nicosia also stressed that the only authorised NAVTEX station within the Republic's area of responsibility is JRCC Larnaca / CYPRUS RADIO / 5BA.
The Cypriot notice will remain in force until March 20, 2027.
Turkish objections
According to the report, Ankara sought through media briefings on Wednesday to present the French vessel's survey activities as operations taking place with Turkish consent.
Turkish claims cited in the report argue that the position is intended to prevent what Ankara describes as the creation of new faits accomplis by Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey issued its counter-NAVTEX after permits had already been granted by Athens and Nicosia.
Possible radio communication with vessel
Proto Thema reported that a verbal challenge or radio communication, known as hailing, from a Turkish vessel cannot be ruled out once the Abeille Marengo enters international waters.
A similar incident was reported in January, when Turkish authorities made radio contact with a commercial vessel involved in laying a fibre-optic cable in the Aegean Sea despite the existence of a NAVTEX issued by Greece.
No escalation followed on that occasion and the cable-laying operation continued.
Greek authorities monitoring developments
At the same time, Greek military authorities are reportedly monitoring the movements of the Abeille Marengo from a distance.
According to the report, vessels of the Hellenic Navy remain on readiness status in various parts of the Aegean as part of ongoing operational activity overseen by the Hellenic Navy General Staff.
Source:Proto Thema
