Greece moves to resume Great Sea Interconnector surveys

Greece is finalizing preparations to resume seafloor surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), an electrical interconnection project linking Crete and Cyprus. As of early November 2026, the French-flagged vessel 'Abeille Marengo' remains stationed in the port of Heraklion, awaiting the formal issuance of a NAVTEX maritime directive. A special inter-ministerial committee under the Greek Foreign Ministry has been reviewing licensing documents, with authorities expected to grant final approvals by the weekend.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has been categorical that the project will proceed as planned, emphasizing that Greece has already secured the necessary permits. He stated that any attempts by Ankara to obstruct the cable-laying operations will be met with operational measures. The current initiative involves close coordination between Greece, Cyprus, and France. While historical tensions have previously hindered such surveys, diplomatic sources suggest that Turkey has adopted a softer rhetoric, and the Greek government has reportedly informed Ankara of the upcoming technical activities.

Following the issuance of the NAVTEX by the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service, the vessel is scheduled to commence surveys southeast of Karpathos. The French contractor Nexans has engaged the Italian company Next Geosolutions Europe SpA for the operation. The project remains a strategic priority for ending the energy isolation of Cyprus and exercising Greece's sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.