Preparations for the resumption of surveys related to undersea cable-laying in the Eastern Mediterranean appear to be in their final stages. According to ERT, the French-flagged research vessel Abeille Marengo has sailed from the port of Naples for Heraklion, where it is expected to arrive on Tuesday, 27/10.
Nexans, the vessel’s contractor, has requested permission to carry out undersea oceanographic and bathymetric surveys between Crete and Cyprus to advance the GSI cable project.
After reaching Heraklion and completing preparations, the vessel will await the issuance of a NAVTEX before the surveys begin. According to information reported by ERT, the NAVTEX is expected to be issued in early November.
The other research vessel, KOBI RUEGG, also departed Heraklion on Friday afternoon. It is due to begin surveys in approximately the same area of the Greek continental shelf for the laying of the other telecommunications interconnection cable linking Saudi Arabia and Greece. The Heraklion station has issued a NAVTEX for that cable, valid from 23 to 30 October.
Source: CNA
