Türkiye sends new drilling ship to eastern Mediterranean

The new Turkish drilling vessel Abdulhamid Khan has sailed off to explore gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean, 55 kilometres off the coast of Gazipasa City in Antalya Province.

“Exploration and drilling in the Mediterranean is a legitimate operation for us. We don't need to ask anyone for permission to do this," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the launching ceremony of the drilling ship, Interfax reports citing the Associated Press.

In addition to the Mediterranean, three more Turkish drilling ships are currently operating in the Black Sea.