Türkiye’s Latest Ultra-Deepwater Drill Vessel Docks at Tasucu Port

(MENAFN) Türkiye’s latest ultra-deepwater drilling vessel has reached the southern port of Tasucu in Mersin province, signaling a major boost to the country’s energy ambitions in the Mediterranean, the Turkish energy and natural resources minister announced Tuesday.

Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed on the Turkish platform NSosyal that this first of two cutting-edge drilling ships has docked ahead of upcoming Mediterranean operations. The seventh-generation vessel is engineered to drill as deep as 12,000 meters (39,370 feet).

"Our second drilling ship will also arrive in Türkiye by the end of the year," Bayraktar stated. "This will make Türkiye the country with the world's fourth-largest deep-sea drilling fleet."

Bayraktar emphasized the strategic significance of this milestone, highlighting progress toward full energy independence for Türkiye.

Constructed in South Korea in 2024, the new ship measures 228 meters in length and 42 meters in width, featuring a helipad and accommodations for 200 crew members.

Türkiye’s existing fleet includes the drill ships Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdulhamid Han, which are actively working in the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, the seismic vessel Oruc Reis recently completed its first intercontinental mission off Somalia and is now prepping for deployment from Filyos Port in Zonguldak province on the Black Sea coast. The Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic vessel is also currently operational in the Black Sea region.

The entire maritime energy fleet further comprises 11 support vessels, a construction ship, and a floating production platform, underlining Türkiye’s expanding offshore energy capabilities.

MENAFN01102025000045017169ID1110134611