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The authorities have confiscated a number of antiquities from the Bahamas-flagged salvage ship Odyssey Explorer docked in Limassol Port, on suspicion they are being smuggled by treasure hunters. But a spokeswoman for the US-based ship owner - Odyssey Marine Exploration - told CyprusNewsReport.com that the ship was acting legally under contract and conducting a deep-ocean archaeological project in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Odyssey has not conducted any operations in Cypriot waters. Any statements to the contrary are false,” said the spokeswoman.

CEO of Odyssey Marine Exploration Greg Stemm

“The shipwreck on which the company has been conducting an archaeological operation appears to be a cargo vessel dating to the early to mid-17th century (1600-1650) with a primary cargo of agricultural goods, porcelain, glazed pottery and other trade cargo. The site is not identifiable by name nor country of origin. The project design anticipates full publication of the results of the operation and exhibit of the recovered artifacts,” said the spokeswoman.

The whole affair needs careful handling, and the antiquities do not appear to be of Cypriot origin, said a police spokesman.

Shipwreck salvages

Odyssey has surveyed and mapped more than 26,000 square miles of seabed and spent more than 14,000 hours diving on sites using advanced robotic technology. It has discovered hundreds of shipwrecks ranging from third-century BC Punic sites to WWII casualties and explored some of the most famous shipwreck finds to date including the SS Republic, HMS Victory, SS Gairsoppa and SS Central America.

The company is publicly listed and has been cited by world news media like CNN as a credible source on marine exploration and salvage.

Suspended

The confiscated antiquities are currently suspended in desalinated water inside a ports authority warehouse pending further action by the authorities.

Cyprus has been the victim of antiquities smugglers for decades, with Church icons and priceless historical treasures ending up in countries around the world, much like the Athenian marbles, which were forcibly removed from the Parthenon by colonial opportunist Lord Elgin.

Nonetheless, shipwreck salvage under contract in international waters is not illegal, and given that the treasures are not of Cypriot origin, the authorities may have no further reason to detain the ship and its discoveries. A Lebanese expert has been called in to establish the origins of the artefacts, and the final decision on the temporary detention of the ship lies with the attorney-general’s office, said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

A confusing issue for salvage ships is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claimed by the countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, and designated as the halfway point in the sea between each country. Although a ship working at the centre point is in international waters and not technically Cyprus waters, there is a treaty between Lebanon and Cyprus which agrees each country’s EEZ for the purpose of economic exploitation projects like exploring for hydrocarbons like natural gas or oil.

It appears that Odyssey Explorer could be a test case for claiming any economic activity within an EEZ, but by that logic, wouldn’t these claims extend even to merchant ships travelling through the region? That would be an obviously absurd position and have ramifications broaching on the commercial rights of maritime traffic and could negatively affect the maritime industry here.