The Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis has returned to Istanbul after completing a mission off the coast of Somalia, marking another step in Türkiye’s expanding maritime footprint across the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean regions.
According to Turkish officials, the deployment of Oruc Reis underscores Ankara’s commitment to maintaining a strategic presence in both maritime zones. The vessel’s operations were part of a broader initiative aimed at exploring potential hydrocarbon resources in the offshore areas of East Africa, particularly Somalia’s underexplored coastal basin.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources noted that the research conducted off Somalia’s coast forms a key component of Türkiye’s energy diplomacy and foreign policy, which has increasingly targeted new partnerships and exploration opportunities in Africa and beyond.
“This mission highlights Türkiye’s continued presence in both the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean waters and reflects our determination to secure future energy resources,” an official from the ministry stated.
The return of Oruc Reis to Istanbul comes amid ongoing regional competition over maritime exploration rights and energy access. While the vessel’s mission has not triggered diplomatic tensions, analysts believe Ankara’s growing interest in the Horn of Africa could have long-term geopolitical implications, especially in the context of Türkiye’s military, humanitarian, and economic engagement with Somalia.
No public report on the mission’s findings has been released yet. However, Turkish officials have hinted at further planned surveys and possible cooperation with Somali authorities on energy development.