MOGADISHU, Somalia – Türkiye’s Oruç Reis Research Ship departed from Turkey for Somalia on Saturday, following a farewell ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Setting sail from Filyos Port, the Oruç Reis is accompanied by two navy frigates and support vessels on its journey to the Somali coast, expected to take 19 days as it navigates through the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, and Red Sea.
During this mission, the vessel will conduct the first-ever 3D seismic surveys for oil and gas across three licensed maritime zones, each spanning 5,000 km².
The Oruç Reis will operate in Somalia under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministries of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye and Somalia.
President Erdoğan stated that the Oruç Reis, which has been serving Türkiye since 2017, will now undertake seismic activities in three licensed areas off the coast of Somalia.
Highlighting Somalia’s history of conflict, instability, and hunger, Erdoğan expressed optimism that the nation will soon be associated with economic development, prosperity, and peace as a result of Oruç Reis’s discoveries.
“I am confident that, God willing, we will receive positive news from our seismic research activities off the coast of Somalia,” he added, reflecting his hope for transformative outcomes from this mission.
In a post on his X account, Abdirisak Mohamed, Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, noted that today is a historic day for both Türkiye and Somalia. He announced that the Oruç Reis seismic research ship has officially departed from Istanbul, heading to Mogadishu to conduct 3D seismic surveys off the Somali coast.
Mohamed expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the farewell ceremony alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Turkish counterpart, Alparslan Bayraktar.
Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed optimism about the mission, highlighting the significant oil potential in the areas where the Oruç Reis will operate.
Bayraktar also noted that Turkish Petroleum holds exploration licenses across a maritime jurisdiction divided into three fields, covering a total of 15,000 square kilometers. The three-dimensional seismic study is expected to take approximately seven months to complete.
Türkiye and Somalia have forged a dynamic partnership in recent years, with significant advancements in energy, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. Türkiye’s engagement began in 2011 amid one of Somalia’s most devastating droughts, providing essential humanitarian assistance that set the stage for enduring collaboration.
As of now, Türkiye operates the largest military training camp in Somalia, dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of the Somali armed forces and bolstering national security. Türkiye also provides aerial support during operations against Al Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group.
Türkiye also positioned itself as a crucial ally in times of crisis, regularly airlifting critically injured victims after attacks in Mogadishu and other regions.
This unwavering commitment not only addresses Somalia’s immediate needs but also underscores Türkiye’s investment in the country’s long-term development through substantial contributions to education, healthcare, and infrastructure initiatives.
