Mammoet has been contracted by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) to assist with the launch of the first of three Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPV). Procured by Armscor for the South African Navy, the vessels will augment South Africa’s maritime security to counter threats such as illegal trafficking and fishing.
The vessel, weighing over 600t, was safely transported overnight from the DSCT shipyard to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) synchrolift at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront Basin. The vessel was jacked up using Mammoet’s 150t jacks, and then transported from the fabrication yard to the synchrolift using 48 axle lines of SPMT to provide precision movement within the facility’s congested footprint. Uzayr Karimulla, Project Manager Mammoet South Africa, says while moving the vessel at night meant less impact on traffic, the reduction in light came with its own challenges. Once the vessel was raised onto the synchrolift, the project team waited for high tide to come in before moving it out of the V&A Basin via TNPA tugs towards the Elliot Basin. “Through careful planning, close collaboration, and the teamwork between DSCT and Mammoet South Africa, our team made this move a success. “
The MMIPVs are built according to the patented Damen Axe Bow design, which ensures low resistance, high sustained speed in waves and superior sea-keeping characteristics in the toughest conditions. As vertical accelerations are reduced significantly and bow slamming almost entirely eliminated, the safety of the vessel and crew increases considerably, reducing operational risks. The multi mission deck is used for supporting diving, search and rescue, and anti-piracy operations.
The engineering of the vessel commenced in 2018 with the keel being laid in February 2019. “Despite the lockdown, our local skills and partnerships, resilient production schedule and the advanced planning capabilities of our Cape Town team allowed the different subcontractors and teams to work on the vessel in a safe manner. One can truly state that the MMIPVs have been built in South Africa, by South Africans for South Africa,” notes Eva Moloi, DSCT HR & Transformation Manager.
