Debmarine's new diamond vessel makes a splash

The world's most sophisticated diamond sampling and exploration vessel yet, Debmarine Namibia's new N$2,3bn (US$139m) SS Nujoma, was launched at the Kleven Verft AS shipyard in Ulsteinvik in Norway earlier this year.

First of its kind

The diesel-electric powered vessel, 113 metres long and 22 metres wide, has a displacement of 12,000 tonnes, a helicopter deck suitable for Sikorsky S61s, and will accommodate a crew of 80.

It’s the first of its kind and incorporates a range of innovative technologies. Once outfitting has been completed, the vessel will complete sea trials, before final delivery from Kleven to Debmarine Namibia.

The second part of this project, the subsea sampling system and treatment plant, has been developed in parallel by De Beers Marine South Africa and will be installed on the SS Nujoma in the Port of Cape Town in the second half of 2016.

Sixth in the fleet

Named after the founding president of Namibia, Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the vessel is the sixth in the Debmarine Namibia fleet, and will be registered at the Port of Lȕderitz.

The vessel will remain on exploration operations for three years before returning to port for maintenance. It is scheduled to start commissioning in Namibian waters in the first half of 2017.