{"id":56093,"date":"2026-03-19T07:24:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=56093"},"modified":"2026-03-19T07:24:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:24:40","slug":"interconnect-malta-advances-to-identification-clearance-phase-following-completion-of-detailed-marine-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/19\/interconnect-malta-advances-to-identification-clearance-phase-following-completion-of-detailed-marine-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Interconnect Malta advances to Identification & Clearance Phase following completion of detailed marine survey"},"content":{"rendered":"

KEY HIGHLIGHTS<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Project Progression: Interconnect Malta has moved into the Identification and
\nClearance (ID&C) of the route of the Second Malta\u2013Sicily Interconnector (IC2)
\nfollowing the successful conclusion of the Detailed Marine Route Survey.
\n\u2022 Operational Safety: The campaign will ensure the seabed along the cable route
\nis free from potential unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other obstacles, allowing
\nthe project to proceed safely to the installation phase and ensuring the cable is
\nlaid with the highest safety standards.
\n\u2022 Technical Precision: Technical teams will investigate 393 specific magnetic
\ntargets within a precise 8-metre-wide corridor, utilising specialised offshore
\nvessels and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).<\/p>\n

Interconnect Malta (ICM) has progressed into another phase of the project following the
\ncompletion of the Detailed Marine Route Survey (DMRS) for the Second Interconnector (IC2).
\nThis transition marks the commencement of the Identification and Clearance (ID&amp;C) campaign,
\na technical operation essential to ensuring the safety and integrity of the 99km submarine cable route.<\/p>\n

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Interconnector 2 in progress<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This campaign follows the completion of a detailed survey, which was undertaken to further
\nrefine the submarine cable route between Malta and Sicily. During this survey, several magnetic
\ntargets were identified buried under the seabed that require further investigation to confirm their
\nnature and ensure the route is safe for the installation of the submarine electricity cable.
\nA total of 707 magnetic targets were initially detected during the survey. Following desktop post-survey analysis, this number was reduced to 393 targets requiring further investigation. As a precautionary measure, the Identification and Clearance campaign will investigate these targets\u00a0 via specialized equipment and remove or relocate any obstacles that may pose a risk to the safe installation of the interconnector cable.
\nThese features, located beneath the seabed, became visible only during the detailed survey
\nstage, when investigations were limited to a precise 8-metre-wide sub-seabed corridor.<\/p>\n

Earlier preliminary route studies do not provide this level of resolution, as they are conducted across a much wider corridor and are not intended to identify such anomalies. While the discovery of these anomalies presented an additional technical challenge for the project, the issue was promptly addressed through the launch of the Identification and Clearance campaign to ensure that the route can be verified and prepared for safe cable installation.<\/p>\n

The campaign will involve specialised offshore vessels and remotely operated equipment to
\ninspect each identified target along the route. Where objects are confirmed not to pose a risk, they will either be recovered or safely managed on site. In the event that an object is identified as unexploded ordnance, the response will be coordinated with the relevant authorities, including the Armed Forces of Malta and the Italian authorities, to determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with established safety procedures.<\/p>\n

The works will involve a multidisciplinary team of offshore survey specialists, divers, and
\nExplosive Ordnance Disposal experts, supported by specialised vessels and equipment.
\nActivities will vary by location and water depth, from deep\u2011water investigations at around
\n170\u202fmetres using remotely operated vehicles, to diver\u2011assisted inspections in shallower areas.
\nThese operations form part of the IC2 project and are essential to confirming that the submarine cable route is safe, and compliant with international standards before cable laying begins.<\/p>\n

In\u0121. Christian Spiteri, Manager at Interconnect Malta, stated that “the transition to the ID&C phase represents a significant step in the project\u2019s timeline”. He noted that “The Identification and Clearance campaign represents an important technical step in preparing the seabed route for the Second Interconnector. Ensuring that the route is free from potential hazards is essential for the safe installation of the submarine cable and for the protection of personnel involved in the works. This process reflects the rigorous engineering and safety standards that guide theproject as we continue progressing towards its next phase.\u201d
\n\u201cThe Second Malta\u2013Sicily Interconnector is a central element of Malta\u2019s long\u2011term energy
\nstrategy and features prominently within the \u2018Energy, Climate & Environmental Transformation\u2019 priority of Malta\u2019s Vision 2050. Once operational, it will double the country\u2019s interconnection capacity, strengthen security of supply, and help drive Malta\u2019s shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system.\u201d commented Miriam Dalli Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness on this technical milestone.
\nThe project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), reflecting the shared commitment of Malta and the European Union to investing in strategic infrastructure that supports energy security and the green transition.<\/p>\n

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS \u2022 Project Progression: Interconnect Malta has moved into the Identification and Clearance (ID&C) of the route of the Second Malta\u2013Sicily Interconnector (IC2) following the successful conclusion of the Detailed Marine Route Survey. \u2022 Operational Safety: The campaign will ensure the seabed along the cable route is free from potential unexploded ordnance (UXO) and […]<\/p>\n

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Lynch","author_link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/author\/bernardlynch\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"KEY HIGHLIGHTS \u2022 Project Progression: Interconnect Malta has moved into the Identification and Clearance (ID&C) of the route of the Second Malta\u2013Sicily Interconnector (IC2) following the successful conclusion of the Detailed Marine Route Survey. \u2022 Operational Safety: The campaign will ensure the seabed along the cable route is free from potential unexploded ordnance (UXO) and…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56093"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56096,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56093\/revisions\/56096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}