Turkish Drilling Vessel Çağrı Bey Expected to Dock in Mogadishu for Historic Deepwater Exploration
MOGADISHU — A major development in the energy partnership between Türkiye and Somalia is unfolding as a Turkish drilling vessel is expected to dock at the Port of Mogadishu within the coming hours. The arrival of the ship, identified as the deepwater drilling vessel Çağrı Bey, marks the commencement of a landmark hydrocarbon exploration and extraction mission in Somali territorial waters.
The vessel’s arrival serves as the operational next step following extensive seismic surveys conducted in late 2024 by the Turkish research ship Oruç Reis. While the Oruç Reis was tasked with mapping the seabed and identifying potential deposits, the Çağrı Bey is equipped to undertake the physical drilling necessary to confirm and extract oil and natural gas reserves. This mission represents Türkiye’s first overseas deepwater energy exploration project, highlighting the strategic depth of the Ankara-Mogadishu alliance.
Security for the operation is tight. Reports indicate that the drilling vessel is accompanied by Turkish naval assets designed to safeguard the exploration zone against maritime threats. This security framework operates under a broad defense and economic cooperation agreement signed between the two nations in early 2024. The pact grants Türkiye exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in designated offshore blocks, while also committing Ankara to the training and equipping of Somalia’s naval forces to protect its sovereign waters.
For Somalia, the docking of the Çağrı Bey signals a potential economic turning point. Government officials in Mogadishu have long viewed the country’s untapped offshore reserves as a critical lever for national development and reconstruction. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously described the collaboration with Türkiye as a historic opportunity to monetize the nation’s natural resources after decades of instability.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has confirmed the timeline for these operations, noting that the data gathered during the seismic phase showed promising signs of hydrocarbon deposits. The deployment of the Çağrı Bey aligns with Ankara’s broader “Energy Century” strategy, which aims to diversify Türkiye’s energy sources and assert its technical capabilities on the international stage.
The drilling operations are expected to focus on specific blocks identified during the 3D seismic studies. As the vessel prepares to dock, port authorities in Mogadishu have coordinated closely with Turkish officials to ensure a seamless logistical transition. The mission is slated to last several months, during which the technical crews will assess the commercial viability of the reservoirs.
This joint venture has drawn attention across the Horn of Africa, shifting the geopolitical dynamics of the region. While the exploration promises mutual economic benefits—with revenue-sharing models established in the bilateral agreement—it also cements Türkiye’s role as a key security and development partner in East Africa. Further updates on the vessel’s technical schedule are expected once docking procedures are complete.
* aa.com.tr
* fivemagazine.so
* sonna.so
* hiiraanweyn.net
* garoweonline.com
* somaliguardian.com
* nordicmonitor.com
* sonna.so
