Debmarine Namibia has taken delivery of its new diamond sampling and exploration vessel, the SS Nujoma, in Geirangerfjorden, Norway.

The vessel, named after Namibia’s founding president, Dr. Sam Nujoma, was launched on January 9, 2016 at the Kleven Verft shipyard in Ulsteinvik in Norway.

It will be finalized in Cape Town, where 2000 tons of equipment will be installed, making the vessel ready for deep water mineral exploration offshore Namibia.

The 113-meter diesel-electric powered vessel will have a displacement of 12,000 tonnes and will accommodate a crew of 80. It has a helicopter deck suitable for Sikorsky S61s.

The mining vessel is of MT6022 design and will be expected to remain on exploration operations for three years before returning to port for maintenance.

Subsea World News Staff