Oruç Reis returns to Türkiye after successful Somalia mission

After successfully completing its first intercontinental mission in Somalia, the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel has begun its passage through the Istanbul Strait, returning to Türkiye's 'Blue Homeland.' According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Oruç Reis started passing through the Istanbul Strait at 08:00. The vessel departed from Filyos Port on October 4 last year and completed a 234-day mission in Somalia. It collected three-dimensional seismic data over 4,464 square kilometers in three separate maritime blocks off Somalia, concluding its mission on June 6. After successfully finishing its first intercontinental mission in Somalia, the ship returned to the Blue Homeland after nine months. Following a farewell ceremony at Mogadishu Port, Oruç Reis set off to return home on June 15, passing through the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel passed through the Çanakkale Strait yesterday and is expected to anchor at Filyos Port tomorrow. The return journey of Oruç Reis is accompanied by the support vessels Zağanos Paşa, Sancar, and Ataman Tracking Ship, as well as the naval frigates TCG Giresun and TCG Göksu, and the Military Logistics Support Ship TCG Üsteğmen Arif Ekmekçi. After nearly nine months on duty, the vessel will dock at Filyos for maintenance and repairs before being prepared for its next mission. Built domestically in 2017, Oruç Reis is capable not only of searching for natural resources but also of conducting continental shelf and crust research. The vessel measures 87 meters in length, 23 meters in width, and 34 meters in height. It can perform two- and three-dimensional seismic research activities underwater for oil and natural gas exploration.