French Research Vessel Arrives for Greece-Cyprus Power Cable

by · Greek City Times

A French-flagged research vessel, the Abeille Marengo, arrived at the port of Heraklion on Tuesday morning ahead of undersea surveys for the installation of high-voltage direct-current cables linking Crete and Cyprus through the Great Sea Interconnector project.

The vessel arrived from Italy and remains on standby pending the official issuance of a NAVTEX notice specifying the maritime area where the planned operations will take place.

Greek Navy to receive 72 hours’ notice before surveys

The notification process for the relevant military and naval authorities will play an important role before the surveys begin.

According to the relevant request, the Abeille Marengo must notify the Hellenic Navy’s Hydrographic Service, Submarine Command and Naval Aviation Command at least 72 hours before starting operations. It must also provide updates daily throughout the surveys.

Read more: Greece and Turkey Trade NAVTEX Over Cable Survey Off Crete

The notifications will include precise coordinates, descriptions of the planned work, required safety distances and any other information necessary to conduct the surveys safely.

The document also calls for notifications to local port authorities and passing vessels. Other ships must maintain a safety distance of at least one nautical mile from the research vessels.

According to information available, Coast Guard vessels and Hellenic Navy units are expected to maintain a discreet presence in the area to monitor and safeguard the operations.

How the undersea surveys will work

Italy’s Next Geosolutions Europe SpA will conduct the surveys. The company belongs to the Marnavi shipping group and specialises in geophysical and geotechnical investigations for offshore energy infrastructure. France’s Nexans, which has undertaken the construction and installation of the Crete-Cyprus electricity cable, commissioned the work.

The surveys will follow the planned cable route between the coastal area of Korakia in the Heraklion regional unit and Cyprus.

Their main objective is to map the seabed in detail and record its geological and morphological characteristics. The findings will help engineers select the most suitable route for safely laying and protecting the power cables.

The survey team will use specialised equipment, including a multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, a magnetometer and underwater video systems.

The programme also includes geotechnical sampling at depths of up to 700 metres below sea level, as well as penetration tests and seabed drilling.

The main technical challenges stem from the great depths of the eastern Mediterranean, steep underwater slopes and complex seabed formations.

Special authorisation for French-flagged vessel

Authorities at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Hellenic Coast Guard sought additional, exceptional approval to use the French-flagged Abeille Marengo.

The relevant document states that authorities considered the vessel necessary because of the surveys’ demanding technical requirements and the lack of suitable Greek-flagged vessels available during the period.

Built in Norway in 2009, the Abeille Marengo measures 73.2 metres in length and carries specialised equipment for offshore operations.

(Source: AMNA)

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