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Türkiye has issued a Navtex covering parts of the Mediterranean through Aug. 30 to support seismic surveys for a planned natural gas pipeline linking the country with Turkish Cyprus.
The notice authorizes the seismic research vessel Oruc Reis to conduct surveys along the planned pipeline route until the end of August.
The work follows a memorandum of understanding signed on July 10 between Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), launching engineering and construction preparations for the undersea pipeline.
Navtex notices are international maritime safety broadcasts used to notify ships of activities such as military exercises, scientific surveys and other operations that may affect navigation.
The latest Navtex revives memories of the prolonged maritime standoff between Türkiye and Greece in 2020, when competing navigation notices over seismic exploration significantly raised tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The dispute intensified after Türkiye deployed the Oruc Reis for seismic surveys in waters south of Kastellorizo and east of Crete, within an area Ankara considers part of its continental shelf but which Greece also claims as part of its continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.
Greece argued that the Turkish surveys violated its sovereign rights and issued counter-Navtex notices, while Türkiye maintained the operations were taking place within its own continental shelf and responded with additional Navtex announcements.
The Türkiye–TRNC Natural Gas Pipeline Project aims to strengthen Turkish Cyprus' energy security by replacing liquid fuels used in electricity generation with natural gas while laying the groundwork for a corridor that could eventually transport Eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe via Türkiye.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said the system will consist of a 101-kilometer transmission line, including 97 kilometers offshore and 4 kilometers on land, connecting Anamur on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast with Teknecik, east of Kyrenia.
The project is planned with two parallel 22-inch subsea pipelines capable of transporting gas in both directions. Initially, the system will deliver natural gas from Türkiye to Northern Cyprus, primarily for electricity generation.
The pipeline will also include receiving terminals and supporting infrastructure needed to connect the Turkish Cyprus to the natural gas network.
Engineering work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the pipeline targeted to enter operation in 2028, although no construction cost has been disclosed.
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