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Türkiye's new ultra-deepwater drilling ship docked at the southern port of Mersin on Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of the country's energy exploration capabilities in the Mediterranean Sea.
The first of two new drilling ships in Türkiye's fleet arrived at Tasucu port, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
The seventh-generation ship, capable of drilling up to 12,000 meters (39,370 feet), will be deployed in Türkiye's Mediterranean operations, Bayraktar said.
"Our second drilling ship will also arrive in Türkiye by the end of the year," Bayraktar said, adding, "This will make Türkiye the country with the world's fourth-largest deep-sea drilling fleet."
Bayraktar said the development represents progress toward achieving complete energy independence.
"This great move is a strong indication that we are one step closer to our goal of complete energy independence. We continue on our path with determination in the Blue Homeland," he said in his social media statement on Tuesday.
Built in South Korea in 2024, the ship measures 228 meters long and 42 meters wide. It is equipped with a helipad and living quarters for 200 crew members.
The vessel, which docked approximately one nautical mile off Tasucu port, will remain at the port for accreditation and certification processes. The ships have the capability to conduct uninterrupted operations until 2029.
The names of the two new vessels have not yet been determined.
Türkiye's fleet already includes the drill ships Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni and Abdulhamid Han, which are operating in the Black Sea's Sakarya gas field.
The Oruc Reis seismic vessel recently returned from its first intercontinental mission in Somalia and is preparing for a new assignment at Filyos Port in Türkiye's Black Sea province of Zonguldak.
The Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic vessel is also active in the Black Sea.
The fleet also includes 11 support vessels, a construction vessel and a floating production platform.
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