Before one NAVTEX has even expired, the Turks issue the next one, and so Turkish research vessels will continue their patrols off the northern coast of Cyprus until the end of the year.
Specifically, the Antalya Hydrographic Station issued a new NAVTEX reserving the maritime area between Turkey and Cyprus for the continuation of surveys regarding the construction and routing of the natural gas pipeline that will connect the occupied territories and Turkey.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to the website of the Turkish state television network TRT, the new NAVTEX will be in effect starting tomorrow—when the previous one, issued earlier this month, expires—through December 31.
A notable difference is that the new NAVTEX will not apply to the Oruc Reis, which has completed its seismic surveys.
ATTALIA STATION “Scientific research and underwater operations will be conducted by the vessels Denar Pathfinder, Denar Echo, Denar Explorer, and Kirici, between October 26 and December 31, 2026, at 12 specified coordinates in the Mediterranean Sea.”
The Larnaca Search and Rescue Center
immediately responded with an Anti – NAVTEX for the same time period, indicating to mariners that it is the only authorized hydrographic station for that specific area.
KSED (the Turkish NAVTEX) This constitutes an unauthorized and illegal activity and represents a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as a violation of its rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ and continental shelf, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the relevant provisions of which reflect customary international law.”
It should be noted that three of the Turkish vessels are in the Black Sea, while the fourth is in Anamur on the southern coast of Turkey, where the pipeline’s landfall point will be constructed.
A map released three days ago by the Turkish marine research company DenAr—which owns three of the four research vessels preparing to sail to Cyprus—is illustrative of this.
With the Oruc Reis having completed its seismic surveys, the composition of the fleet indicates that Turkey is now moving on to specific construction and mechanical preparatory work, directly at the 12 designated points along the pipeline route.
For example, the four vessels are capable of, among other things, mapping, diving operations, various offshore tasks, and work in shallow waters.
Specifically, the Turks are proceeding with the precise routing of the pipeline, geotechnical and geophysical surveys of the seabed, identifying the points where the pipeline will come ashore, and collecting all the necessary data required for the final design of the pipeline’s laying.
Meanwhile, tomorrow is a big day for Cyprus’s energy policy, as the Republic of Cyprus, the ENI–TOTAL consortium, and contractors are set to sign agreements regarding the Kronos field.
A delegation from the Italian company ENI, led by General Manager of Operations Guido Brusco, a delegation from the French company Total, the contractors who will undertake the construction projects, and the Ambassadors of Egypt and Italy.
According to reports by the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, which have been confirmed by the Presidency, the value of the projects ranges between 1.3 and 1.8 billion dollars.
They involve the construction of undersea drilling infrastructure and a 105-kilometer-long undersea pipeline, which will connect the field to the infrastructure at Egypt’s Zohr field. From there, the natural gas will be transported to Egypt for processing and domestic consumption, as well as for export to Europe.
TV story by Neoklis Neokleous:
