Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the send-off ceremony for the Oruç Reis seismic research vessel, which is commencing its mission in Somalia following an agreement for onshore and offshore exploration with Somalia. Accompanied by two G-class frigates for protection, the mission will last approximately seven months and focus on conducting 3D seismic surveys in a maritime zone off the coast of Somalia, crucial for identifying future drilling sites. This operation reflects Turkey’s strategic interests and its aims to secure energy resources amid high security risks in the region.
On October 5, 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officiated a send-off ceremony for the domestically produced seismic research vessel, Oruç Reis, which is embarking on a significant scientific mission in Somalia. The vessel’s deployment is part of the strategic agreement forged in March between Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, focusing on both onshore and offshore exploration blocks within Somali territory. As the Oruç Reis sets sail, it is escorted by two G-class frigates, TCG Gediz and TCG Gokova, which have been upgraded with advanced technologies, including the GENESIS combat management system, ensuring robust naval protection throughout the vessel’s mission. The Oruç Reis will conduct 3D seismic surveys over a projected seven-month duration, aiming to gather critical data for identifying viable drilling sites in a 15,000-square-kilometer maritime zone that Turkey has secured off the coast of Somalia. This operation signifies Turkey’s dedication to protecting its energy interests in regions marked by security vulnerabilities such as piracy and regional destabilizations, thereby enhancing its geopolitical influence in Africa and beyond the Mediterranean.
The Oruç Reis research vessel has been a focal point in Turkey’s contentious energy exploration efforts, particularly within the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey’s ambitions have led to conflicts with nations including Greece and Cyprus. Issues relate primarily to overlapping claims on Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in the Eastern Mediterranean’s resource-abundant waters. Turkey’s exploratory missions have intensified since 2020, when the Oruç Reis was deployed near the Greek island of Kastellorizo, prompting disputes pertaining to maritime boundary interpretations. Turkey maintains that islands should not possess full EEZ rights, a viewpoint at odds with Greece and Cyprus, which support the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Notably, Turkey is not a signatory of UNCLOS and advocates for a more adaptable interpretation of maritime laws to secure its regional interests. This conflict has resulted in escalating tensions, naval deployments, diplomatic protests, and near confrontations between Turkish and Greek naval forces, leading to NATO intervention to prevent unintentional military encounters among allies.
In summary, the deployment of the Oruç Reis seismic research vessel represents a pivotal moment in Turkey’s exploration efforts, highlighting its ambitions in the Horn of Africa and asserting its energy interests amidst a complex geopolitical landscape. The accompanying naval fleet underscores Turkey’s commitment to safeguarding these interests, as well as the broader implications of its actions in reinforcing its influence in Africa while navigating the contentious dynamics present in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Original Source: www.armyrecognition.com
