Greece issues maritime directive for Great Sea Interconnector surveys

Greece has officially issued a NAVTEX maritime directive to facilitate the resumption of underwater survey operations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, which aims to link the electricity grids of Greece and Cyprus. The survey vessel Abeille Marengo, which had been docked in Heraklion, is now set to depart immediately to map the seabed along the proposed cable route from Crete toward the Cypriot exclusive economic zone. The directive is valid until March 6, 2027.

This project phase follows intense trilateral diplomatic coordination between Greece, France, and Cyprus. The surveys were previously suspended in 2024 due to the intervention of Turkish warships. While the Turkish government is reportedly aware of the new procedures, security sources cited in Turkish media have suggested a readiness to intervene if these operations proceed without prior coordination. However, diplomatic observers indicate that recent communications between Paris and Ankara may mitigate the risk of a new crisis, suggesting that Turkey may limit its response to radio challenges rather than physical interference.

The project is currently navigating administrative licensing, with a special inter-ministerial committee under the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs overseeing the final recommendations. The French company Nexans has contracted the Italian firm Next Geosolutions Europe SpA to conduct the technical survey, which is crucial for determining the final geological conditions of the seafloor.