Turkey announces a new NAVTEX in Eastern Mediterranean

Oruç Reis will conduct seismic research in the East Mediterranean in waters from Kastellorizo to Rhodes between October 12 and 22.

The move will probably increase tensions between Turkey and Greece, two NATO allies, which are at odds over overlapping claims for hydrocarbon resources as well as the status of islands in the region.

NAVTEX, sometimes styled Navtex or NavTex, is an international automated medium frequency direct-printing service for delivery of navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts, as well as urgent maritime safety information to ships.

NAVTEX allows ships to inform other vessels about their presence in an area, as well as other information.

NAVTEX can also serve as a warning to other vessels to steer clear of an area due to the sensitivity of the work being carried out and a signal of a country's sovereign exploration rights. (ILKHA)