Turkey’s Seismic Research Vessel Oruç Reis departed from the Çaycuma district of Zonguldak on its way to Somalia, where it will carry out a mission for 7 months. The ship was bid farewell by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as it passed through the Istanbul Strait. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated in the send-off ceremony for Turkey’s nationally developed Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel to Somalia. Operating under the “Memorandum of Understanding on Somali Onshore and Offshore Blocks” signed in March between the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the Oruç Reis Research Vessel started its passage from the Black Sea to the Istanbul Strait around 11:00. A send-off ceremony was held with President Erdoğan’s attendance in front of the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office at 14:30 for the arrival of the ship. President Erdoğan greeted the crew of the ship passing through the strait. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar also participated in the send-off. Following the ceremony, the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel set sail for Somalia. Developed with domestic resources by Turkey, Oruç Reis will reach the waters off Somalia via the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, and the Red Sea route. The ship, which is scheduled to be in the waters off Somalia by the end of October, will conduct seismic surveys for oil and natural gas in 3 licensed maritime zones. Throughout its mission, the vessel will be accompanied by 2 frigates from the navy, as well as the Zağanos Paşa Support Ship, Sancar Platform Support Ship, and Ataman Tracking Ship. Oruç Reis will conduct three-dimensional seismic surveys for the first time in the 3 licensed areas off the coast of Somalia. During the approximately 7-month operation, Oruç Reis will gather data for both natural gas and oil, which will be analyzed in Ankara after collection, leading to drilling work in designated locations based on the results.