Debmarine Namibia has received its N$2.3bn diamond mining and exploration vessel, SS Nujoma, from Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven Verft.
Co-funded by RMB Namibia and built in Norway, the vessel will initially start for work at Cape Town for outfitting with exploration equipment, including a sampling system and treatment plant.
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The 113m-long SS Nujoma will join Debmarine Namibia’s Grand Banks, Debmar Atlantic, Debmar Pacific, Gariep and Mafuta vessels.
The diesel-electric powered vessel will have a displacement of 12,000t and has the capacity to accommodate a crew of 80.
It has a helicopter deck suitable for Sikorsky S61s and will be expected to remain on exploration operations for three years prior to returning to port for maintenance.
Debmarine project head Michael Curtis said: “Our Debmarine Namibia crew will sail the vessel to Cape Town, leaving later this week, and arriving in late-August.”
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By GlobalDataInitially, RMB Namibia will install the sampling system and treatment plant and later commission the vessel before it sails for Namibian waters to carry out final commissioning and testing next year.
RMB Namibia initially financed the Mafuta vessel.
Debmarine Namibia is a joint venture marine diamond prospecting and mining company, owned equally by De Beers and the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
Image: The 113m-long mining vessel SS Nujoma will have a displacement of 12,000t. Photo: courtesy of De Beers UK Limited.
