French research vessel commences seabed surveys for Greece-Cyprus electric interconnector

On November 12, 2026, the French research vessel Abeille Marengo entered international waters southeast of Karpathos, marking the start of seabed survey operations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project between Greece and Cyprus. The vessel, chartered by the French company Nexans, completed calibration tests of its specialized equipment over the previous two days to ensure measurement accuracy during the mapping of the sea floor.

Following the issuance of official permits by Athens and Nicosia, a series of diplomatic tensions arose involving competing maritime notices. Turkey attempted to assert jurisdiction in the area through its own maritime announcements, prompting Cyprus to issue a formal anti-Navtex asserting its sovereign rights. Despite the heightened diplomatic climate, reports indicate that the Turkish frigate TCG Gökova, while present in the vicinity, did not attempt to physically block the vessel or engage in formal hailing procedures. Instead, the frigate broadcast a pre-recorded message claiming the area lies within the Turkish continental shelf, a move interpreted as a restrained reaction.

Greek and Cypriot authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with naval assets maintaining a discreet distance to ensure the safety of the survey mission. The project remains a high-stakes technical endeavor, requiring precise navigation that makes the vessel vulnerable to outside interference.