Safe sea navigation

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus

Date of latest update: 2025-10-07

Description

Description (EN):

The eastern maritime borders of Greece, which also form part of the EU’s external maritime frontier, are marked by a vast network of islands, islets, and rocky outcrops. This complex geography makes it particularly challenging to monitor the maritime domain effectively and to provide comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) services. Similarly, Cyprus—located at the easternmost edge of the EU—faces a unique geographical situation, with the Republic of Cyprus responsible for managing a vast SAR area. In this demanding operational context, cross-border cooperation between Greece and Cyprus is essential. Joint efforts in maritime surveillance and SAR operations strengthen the protection of human life at sea and help prevent illegal activities. However, the Hellenic Coast Guard currently lacks sufficient resources, both in number and technological capability, to meet the growing operational demands of surveillance and SAR. Given the frequent incidents of irregular migration and the proximity of departure areas, there is an urgent need for mobile surveillance assets that can be rapidly deployed across multiple locations in the eastern Aegean. To address these challenges, Greece plans to procure three Mobile Surveillance and Coordination Units (MSCUs): one off-road truck (6x6) and two off-road vans (4x4). These vehicles will be equipped with maritime surveillance radar, advanced electro-optical systems, and modern telecommunications equipment, enabling them to function as mobile operations centers. They will be deployed for ground-based monitoring of critical areas over specific periods or to cover “dead zones” beyond the reach of existing surveillance systems. Cyprus faces similar limitations in maritime surveillance and SAR capacity. To overcome these, the Republic of Cyprus will acquire two MSCUs in the form of off-road vans (4x4), also equipped with maritime radar, cutting-edge electro-optical systems, and telecommunications equipment. These units will reinforce maritime monitoring in high-risk areas and provide flexible coverage of sectors that cannot currently be observed. Overall, this joint investment will enhance integrated border surveillance across the cross-border maritime region, complementing existing naval and aerial resources while strengthening communication and information systems for SAR. Most importantly, it will enable more targeted and timely responses to irregular migration and refugee flows. Ultimately, the action supports the integrated management of border control, mobility, and migration.

Thematic information

Coastal management and maritime issues ICT and digital society Safety

Type of intervention: 174 Interreg: border crossing management and mobility and migration management

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: ΕΠΙΤΕΛΙΚΗ ΔΟΜΗ ΕΣΠΑ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟΥ ΝΑΥΤΙΛΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΝΗΣΙΩΤΙΚΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 1090223

Address: DRAPETSONA, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΣΥΝΤΟΝΙΣΜΟΥ ΈΡΕΥΝΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑΣΩΣΗΣ

Name: ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΣΥΝΤΟΝΙΣΜΟΥ ΈΡΕΥΝΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑΣΩΣΗΣ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 90260049

Address: LARNAKA, Cyprus

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

JOINT RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER

Safe sea navigation

Partners and Projects info

EXECUTIVE UNIT MINISTRY OF MERCANTILE MARINE AND INSULAR POLICY

Safe sea navigation

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Safe sea navigation

Project acronym: Α.Λ.Σ.

Project ID: 6011168

Project start date: 2024-09-01

Project end date: 2027-09-01

Project status: ongoing

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 655 100.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 124 079.45

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2025-10

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

22 / 22 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

93 / 93 (100%)

Notes on the data

Data provided by the programme on 2025-08-12 and information supplemented by the programme on 2025-07-10.

Languages

Contact Form

Safe sea navigation

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer