Great Sea Interconnector seabed surveys to proceed

Preparations for the Great Sea Interconnector, an electricity link between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, have entered a new phase with the granting of permits for seabed surveys. Greece is expected to issue a NAVTEX between October 23 and 26 to facilitate these operations. The French-flagged vessel Abeille Marengo, with IMO number 9388613, has been assigned by the cable manufacturer Nexans to conduct the survey. The issuance of the NAVTEX will trigger the disbursement of €25 million from the Republic of Cyprus, a payment that Energy Minister Michalis Damianos stated will not be passed on to electricity consumers.

The project faces geopolitical friction, as Turkey has issued anti-NAVTEX notifications, claiming that the survey areas overlap with its continental shelf based on its 2019 memorandum with Libya. Separately, the Aphrodite gas field development is experiencing delays due to new financial demands from Chevron regarding transport costs through Egyptian waters, with the year-end target for an agreement appearing increasingly unlikely.