Babcock completes engineering package for Debmarine mining ship

The project, which will reduce the vessel’s fuel consumption and emissions and extend the working life of the 38-year old vessel, was concluded from Babcock’s engineering hub at Rosyth. Babcock was awarded the contract by the De Beers Group last year to upgrade MV !Gariep as the vessel’s existing equipment was coming to the end of its life.

The package of work included removing two existing engines, three YANMAR gensets and one Caterpillar genset. The project included installing two 3MW Wärtsilä 9L26 gensets, new switchboards and two electric propulsion systems.

De Beers had chosen its preferred replacement equipment. Babcock’s team of engineers and designers concentrated on ensuring that the new equipment was integrated optimally with the ship’s structure and systems.

The detailed design was undertaken from Rosyth, while the asset was more than 8,500 miles in its home port of Luderitz. This novel approach was completed successfully during the second half of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and following Government advice, the team completed the last four months of the project working remotely from home.

By making use of technology and the 3D model, the team were able to optimise the position of the new equipment and systems, including over 1,300 metres of piping, as well as HVAC and cable routings.

Safe access for operations as well as design for ease of maintenance were important drivers during the design process.

The team working on this project consisted of Structural Engineers, Naval Architects, Electrical and Mechanical Systems Engineers as well as detailed designers.

With the new electrically driven propulsion system and necessary changes to support auxiliary, structural and control systems the vessel is now successfully back in service.

The MV !Gariep is an offshore diamond mining vessel that forms part of Debmarine Namibia’s fleet of five mining vessels. Debmarine Namibia is a joint venture between Namibia and De Beers. Debmarine Namibia extracts the majority of Namibia’s diamond production from water off the south west coast of the country.