Five research vessels to study the Black Sea for optical cables

04.02.2026 | Bulgaria

The outgoing government has authorized research in the Black Sea for the "Cardesa" project. The goal is to determine the route for optical cables connecting Bulgaria, Georgia, and Turkey for a new digital corridor.

Снимка от Gordon Leggett, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Five research vessels sailing under a foreign flag will conduct surveys in Bulgaria's Black Sea maritime spaces in connection with the implementation of the "Cardessa" project for the construction of an optical cable system. This became possible after a decision by the caretaker government today, which granted permission to conduct the necessary research.

The decision states that the studies are aimed at precisely determining the route of the future cable system, which should connect Aheloy with Poti in Georgia and with a branch to Sile in Turkey.

The project's goal is to provide a new digital corridor between the main network hubs of Istanbul, Sofia, and Tbilisi through an additional sustainable and secure network.

The government press center adds that determining the exact route of the underwater optical cables is of crucial importance for the successful implementation of the project.

Last week, "Bulgartransgaz" announced that it would participate in the implementation of the "Cardessa" project.