Research vessel Abeille Marengo heads to Crete for Great Sea Interconnector project

The French-flagged research vessel Abeille Marengo departed from Naples, Italy, and is currently en route to Heraklion, Crete. According to Marine Traffic data, the vessel is expected to arrive on October 27, 2026. Its primary mission is to conduct oceanographic and bathymetric surveys necessary for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, which aims to establish an electrical connection between Greece and Cyprus. The survey will cover the proposed route for the subsea cable, stretching from the Korakia area in Heraklion toward Cyprus.

Preparations for the mission have involved securing necessary approvals from the Hellenic Coast Guard for the vessel's operation. While the ship is moving toward the deployment site, final administrative steps remain pending. Specifically, the issuance of a NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) notification is required to formally define the survey zones and operational terms. Greek government sources indicated last week that the release of this NAVTEX is expected within the coming weeks, marking a critical milestone for the resumption of seabed research activities.