De Beers Marine Namibia has engaged the Norwegian company Kleven Verft to build a unique diamond-mining vessel for deep water mineral exploration.
Rapaport reports that Kleven regarded the envisaged vessel as “first of its kind” and modeled off the MT 6022 design from Marin Teknikk.
"Underwater mineral exploration is a new segment for Kleven and we look forward to working closely with De Beers on the realisation of this highly advanced vessel,” said Kleven chief executive Ståle Rasmussen.
“We have had a strong cooperation with Marin Teknikk for many years, developing a number of prototypes together and our offshore experience and expertise combined with De Beers competence and innovative strategy on this field has led to the development of this unique vessel."
Rapaport also noted that the contract consists of two phases, with final building approval expected during the first quarter of 2015.
Construction of the vessel was expected to be completed in June 2016.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
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