French research vessel Abeille Marengo departs Crete for undersea power cable survey

On November 10, 2026, the French research vessel Abeille Marengo departed the port of Heraklion, Crete, to conduct seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), an undersea power cable linking Greece and Cyprus. According to Great Sea Interconnector S.A. and ADMIE, the ship will first perform calibration tests on its equipment before proceeding with the survey as specified in the NAVTEX messages issued by Greek and Cypriot authorities. The project aims to end Cyprus’s energy isolation by integrating it into the European electricity grid.

Following the vessel's departure, Turkey issued a NAVTEX (1127/26) claiming that the research is occurring within the Turkish continental shelf and asserting that the activities have been coordinated with and authorized by Turkish authorities. Greek media and official sources have dismissed these claims as part of a recurring diplomatic strategy to challenge the legitimacy of the survey, noting that the authorization was requested solely from Greece and Cyprus. Greek authorities are expected to issue an anti-NAVTEX to declare the Turkish notification invalid. The mission follows similar research efforts in the region that were interrupted in July 2024.