Greece is preparing to resume seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector, the 1,200-kilometer undersea electricity ...

Greece is preparing to resume seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector, the 1,200-kilometer undersea electricity cable connecting Cyprus and Israel to Crete and the wider European grid, with the Hellenic Navy expected to deploy units in the area to deter any Turkish interference. French contractor Nexans submitted its application on October 8 to the Greek Foreign Ministry, seeking authorization for the French-flagged vessel Abeille Marengo to carry out bathymetric and oceanographic surveys along the proposed cable route between the Korakia area of Heraklion and Cyprus. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is expected to forward a recommendation to the interministerial Committee for the Granting of Marine Research Permits, with a decision anticipated within days of October 18. If approved, the Defense Ministry's Hydrographic Service must issue a NAVTEX maritime notice within 48 hours, officially reserving the survey zones. The Abeille Marengo, currently docked in Naples, will be required to notify Greek authorities at least 72 hours before beginning work and submit daily reports including exact coordinates and safety measures. Turkey blocked surveys in the same area east of Kasos in both 2024 and 2025, arguing it should be consulted on activities in the eastern Mediterranean, a position Athens flatly rejects. Greece maintains it holds full authority to authorize work within its own jurisdiction, and the Navy's presence during surveys is intended to prevent any repeat of that harassment. The project carries significant European backing, with the EU having already disbursed 657 million euros in subsidies and the European Investment Bank accepting a financing request for a total budget approaching 2 billion euros. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described the GSI as a European project, not just a Greek-Cypriot one, and has said it must proceed without compromising Greek sovereign rights. Work is expected to resume before the end of 2026. Cyprus is currently the only EU member state with no electricity connection to another country. #GreatSeaInterconnector #Greece #Cyprus