Türkiye clears French survey ship to work on Mediterranean cable project

Türkiye has cleared French vessel Abeille Marengo to resume surveys in the eastern Mediterranean for the Great Sea Interconnector project.

The undersea cable is intended to link Greece with the Greek Cypriot part of Cyprus and connect the island to Europe’s electricity grid.

The ship had been waiting in Crete after Türkiye and Greece issued conflicting maritime notices over where it could work.

Türkiye’s notice allows research along routes coordinated with and approved by Turkish authorities, within coordinates it designated, until March 19, 2027.

The dispute reflects competing claims over maritime rights and Türkiye’s concern that the cable could affect the jurisdiction of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The project has faced geopolitical and financial challenges, and reports say Greece and its partners decided to adjust the planned route after objections from Ankara.

The ship has left Crete, but the cable project still faces regional tensions over its route and maritime jurisdiction.