The countdown has begun for the resumption of surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection cable.
According to Greek media reports, the French-flagged research vessel Abeille Marengo has departed the port of Naples and is heading towards Heraklion, Crete, where it is expected to arrive on Tuesday, 27 October.
Nexans, the company responsible for the project, has requested permission to conduct underwater surveys, including oceanographic and bathymetric studies, between Crete and Cyprus as part of preparations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).
Once the vessel arrives in Heraklion and the necessary preparations are completed, it will await the issuance of a NAVTEX maritime notice before beginning its surveys.
The NAVTEX is expected to be issued in early November.
Meanwhile, another research vessel, KOBI RUEGG, departed Heraklion earlier this afternoon to begin surveys in approximately the same area of the Greek continental shelf.
These surveys concern a separate telecommunications cable project connecting Saudi Arabia and Greece.
The Heraklion station has already issued a NAVTEX for this project, valid from 23 to 30 October.
Following numerous setbacks, objections and behind-the-scenes developments, the movements of the two vessels suggest that preparations are entering their final stages ahead of the resumption of surveys.
Source: ERT
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