Royal Moroccan Navy takes delivery of Damen Pontoon for drought relief action

The Royal Moroccan Navy has taken delivery of a Stan Pontoon 3011 Water Barge built by Damen Shipyards.

The pontoon is equipped with a desalination installation that can deliver up to 1,500 m3 drinking water per day.

The navy will immediately mobilise the vessel to supply fresh drinking water to areas of Morocco suffering from a long-lasting drought.

Fast built
Due to the contract’s urgent humanitarian aspect, Damen constructed the vessel within an extremely tight timeframe.

With the pontoon fully operational less than six months after the order was placed, the team at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, the Netherlands, have demonstrated their commitment to construct the vessel as swiftly as possible.

The Royal Moroccan Navy can transfer the Stan Pontoon Water Barge between locations with either a tug or workboat.

Furthermore, due to its narrow 11-metre beam, the smallest of harbours are also accessible. Needing only a supply of diesel to operate, the vessel is a self-sufficient water making platform.

High temperatures
The design criteria of the onboard water making units reflect the intense climatic conditions of the Moroccan coastal region. The equipment is designed to handle maximum air temperatures of 45°C and seawater temperatures up to 35°C.

The vessel’s design takes into account the efficiency of future service and maintenance issues.

Water for agricultural use
In addition to the humanitarian aspect, the arrival of the vessel will also have a potential economic impact on the region.

As the Moroccan agricultural industry begins to experience the damaging effects of the present drought conditions, a certain amount of the water may be used for irrigation purposes.

Damen’s Stan Pontoons are known for their versatility, but the Stan Pontoon 3011 Water Barge represents the first time that the company has installed water making technology on one of its range.

While some fresh water can be stored on board, the majority will be pumped ashore via a pipeline.

This news item was originally published on the website of Damen Shipyards Group.

More information
Damen Shipyards Group
Gorinchem, the Netherlands
+31 183 63 99 11
www.damen.com/en