New Research Vessel for Country

Magreth Nunuhe

12 May 2011

Windhoek — Namibia is building a research vessel at a cost of 35 million Euros (approximately N$340 million) at Rauma in Finland, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernard Esau, announced yesterday.

The new state-of-the-art vessel, which would carry out deep-sea research in Namibian waters, would be handed over to Namibia in June 2012. It replaces the dilapidated RV Welwitschia, which was donated by Japan in 1994. “The RC Welwitschia does not have the capabilities to trawl at deeper depths where deep sea resources are found,” explained Esau, hence the replacement. The Welwitschia also has limited deck space and scientific accommodation on board, he said.

According to Esau, the rundown state of the Welwitschia, which was valued at N$40 million when it was donated to Namibia, also compromises the safety of scientific, technical and manning crew. He said it had also become difficult to acquire parts for the old vessel, as the manufacturer in Japan had closed down.

This, he said, has prompted the ministry to acquire a modern and multi-purpose research vessel when they signed a contract with STX Finland to build a 62-metre-long vessel, that would provide accommodation to 45 crew members. The new vessel comes with a maintenance package, including training of crew members.

The vessel would be acquired on credit for a period of over 10 years at zero interest to the Namibian government, while Finland covers the loan interest of 19 million Euros. The minister revealed that the government has already made a down-payment of 5 million Euros (approximately N$49 million) for the procurement of the vessel.

It is not clear what would happen to the Welwitschia as the ministry is still deliberating on its future.

Graca De Almeida, deputy director of Applied Research in the Directorate of Resource Management, said they are currently doing deep-sea and hydrographical research with Spanish vessels, which would change once the new vessel is acquired. She added that hake and orange ruffy surveys that are currently done on commercial vessels would also be carried over to the new vessel.

According to the minister, the new vessel, which has not been named yet, would bring in more fish species on board. Laying of the keel for the new vessel is to take place in November, while the launch is expected in April 2012.

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