Oruç Reis Sets Course for Turkey After Completing First Overseas Mission
Following the successful completion of its first intercontinental seismic research mission off the coast of Somalia, Turkey’s domestically built Oruç Reis vessel has begun its return journey home.
Commissioned by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 5 from Dolmabahçe, Oruç Reis spent 234 days conducting 3D seismic surveys across 4,464 square kilometers in three offshore blocks. The mission concluded on June 6.
After a farewell ceremony held at Mogadishu Port — attended by Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş, and TÜRKSOM Commander Brig. Gen. Sebahattin Kalkan — the vessel departed for Turkey.
Escorted by support and naval vessels including Zağanos Paşa, Sancar, Ataman, and the frigates TCG Giresun and TCG Göksu, the ship is expected to follow the Suez Canal route and reach Turkey in early July, weather permitting. It will enter via the Bosphorus and dock at Filyos Port for maintenance before its next assignment.
All collected data will be analyzed in Ankara. Based on the findings, offshore drilling operations may begin at selected Somali locations.
