French vessel set to restart Great Sea Interconnector surveys

The French research vessel Abeille Marengo is scheduled to depart from the port of Heraklion, Crete, to resume seabed survey operations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) electricity link between Greece and Cyprus. Following a delay originally attributed to weather and ongoing diplomatic consultations, the vessel is expected to begin work in international waters southeast of Karpathos, which involves geological mapping and seabed studies necessary for the future installation of an underwater cable.

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis reiterated that the project follows established plans and that all necessary licensing was obtained exclusively from Greek and Cypriot authorities. Athens maintains that no permission was requested from Turkey, characterizing a diplomatic note sent by France to Ankara as a notification for maritime safety rather than a request for consent. This distinction is intended to avoid recognizing any Turkish maritime jurisdiction or claims in the area.

While the Greek government insists on the legitimacy of its actions under international law, the Turkish press has alleged that Ankara demanded the research be halted, claiming the area overlaps with its continental shelf. The upcoming operations serve as a critical test of the current diplomatic framework, as the previous survey attempts in the summer of 2024 were suspended following heightened tensions with Turkey.