Geophysical Survey Complete

DELAYED +2yr (Apr 2026): A World Bank ISR (Mar‑2025) shows ESPIRE Phase 1 only became effective in Feb‑2025 and seabed survey work had not started. In a Jan‑2026 Argus interview, a GSE board member says 2026 is for hiring consultants for seabed‑survey design and supervision, and 2027–28 will focus on marine studies and ESIA. This makes a mid‑2026 completion for the geophysical survey impossible; mid‑2028 is more realistic. --- Under the World Bank ESPIRE program, the Black Sea Submarine Cable Project plans to complete geophysical seabed investigations and associated analysis to identify a geophysically and geotechnically viable corridor for the submarine power and digital cable between the South Caucasus and Southeast Europe by around June 2026. This target is reflected in project results indicators, which foresee the corridor being confirmed as viable once the seabed surveys financed in Phase 1 are finished.