French Research Vessel Abeille Marengo Passes Kasos as Greece Monitors Turkish Response

12 Nov 2026, 09:05 by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City Times

The French research vessel Abeille Marengo has passed the island of Kasos and is heading towards international waters south of Karpathos after completing preliminary equipment tests for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project.

Greek military authorities are monitoring the vessel’s movements as it approaches the next stage of seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector, amid concerns over a possible Turkish response.

Chartered by French cable manufacturer Nexans, the Abeille Marengo departed Heraklion on Tuesday, November 10, to conduct seabed investigations along the planned route of the submarine electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus.

The vessel initially carried out technical tests and calibration of its research equipment to ensure accurate measurements before beginning its main survey operations.

According to the latest information, it has now passed Kasos and is moving south-southeast of Karpathos towards international waters.

Seabed surveys enter sensitive maritime areas

The vessel’s movements are being closely watched because parts of the planned survey route cross maritime areas where Greece and Turkey maintain competing positions over continental shelf rights.

The surveys are intended to map the seabed and collect the technical data required for the installation of the submarine electricity cable.

However, operating in international waters does not automatically mean that an area is outside all national jurisdiction. Maritime sovereignty, territorial waters, continental shelf rights and Exclusive Economic Zones are governed by distinct legal frameworks.

Greece and Cyprus reject Turkish NAVTEX

Turkey has already issued a NAVTEX challenging the authority of Greek and Cypriot authorities to approve certain research activities along the planned cable route.

Athens has rejected the Turkish notification, describing it as legally invalid. Greek diplomatic sources have maintained that the necessary permits were sought from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus.

Nicosia issued its own response on November 11 through anti-NAVTEX 352/26.

The Cypriot authorities clarified that research activities within the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf had been authorised under permit 05/2026 and notified through navigational warning NW 345/26.

The Cypriot anti-NAVTEX remains valid until March 20, 2027.

Possible Turkish naval response

Attention is now turning to whether Turkey will take further action as the Abeille Marengo advances towards the main survey areas.

One scenario being monitored is the possibility of a Turkish naval vessel contacting the French research ship by radio, a procedure known as hailing.

Similar communications have reportedly occurred during previous subsea fibre-optic cable operations in the Aegean.

However, there is currently no confirmed information that a Turkish warship has approached the Abeille Marengo or initiated radio contact with the vessel.

Greek Navy monitors developments

Greek military authorities are closely following the French vessel’s movements while maintaining a discreet distance, according to reports.

Greek naval units are also understood to be on standby as part of the Navy’s operational planning.

Their readiness does not, in itself, indicate that a confrontation has occurred or that a military incident is underway.

The immediate focus is whether the Abeille Marengo can continue its scheduled seabed surveys without disruption and whether Ankara issues further warnings or takes additional action beyond the NAVTEX notifications already published.

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