As global diamond markets adapt to shifting demand, rising automation, and growing environmental scrutiny, Debmarine Namibia is positioning itself to stay ahead of the curve.
The company marked a significant milestone when its flagship recovery vessel, the Benguela Gem, received two Next Generation Crawlers (NGCs) — state-of-the-art subsea mining systems developed by De Beers Group’s Upstream Technology division in Cape Town.
Project manager Rudi Agostinho told Mining Weekly that the investment comes at a pivotal time for Namibia’s marine diamond industry.
“We’re operating in a changing market. These crawlers give us the strength and flexibility to sustain production and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the diamond industry,” he said.
The integration ceremony, held on 8 September 2025 at Cape Town harbour, brought together senior management, engineers, members of the Debmarine Namibia Board, and media representatives.
The event celebrated a four-year engineering effort culminating in the delivery of two 370-tonne, semi-autonomous crawlers built to enhance recovery efficiency while minimising environmental impact.
Precision beneath the waves
Agostinho said the NGCs represent “a careful blend of automation, precision engineering, and lessons from decades of offshore experience.”
Each crawler, measuring 28 metres long, 8 metres wide, and 8 metres high, can operate to depths of up to 135 metres, extracting diamond-bearing gravel through an 800-millimetre pipeline.
The design allows for a 21-metre hydraulic sweep completed in just 25 seconds.
The crawlers’ automated control systems adjust hydraulic pressure, suction rates, and track movements in response to seabed conditions, enabling them to self-regulate structural stress and improve reliability. Technology development manager Imraan Parker told Mining Weekly that automation has made marine operations far more predictable.
“The crawler can sense and adapt to its environment in real time, which increases reliability and reduces human error,” he said.
A forward-looking sonar system provides detailed seabed imaging, allowing operators to mine precisely to the geological footwall — a level of precision that both enhances recovery and reduces seabed disturbance.
Built for endurance
Mining systems specialist Sebastian van der Laer said the new crawlers were explicitly designed to handle coarser gravels and dense panels that earlier generations struggled with.
Their hydraulic track-tensioning system, he explained, automatically adapts to terrain changes, reducing wear and extending the life of the track chain by up to 30 per cent.
Each crawler contains more than 2.2 kilometres of cabling and 10,000 sealed electrical connections for deep-sea performance.
Senior workshop officer Abdul-Gameed Davids said the assembly required synchronised crane lifts to install the 47-tonne dredge motor.
In contrast, senior project engineer Steven Smith described the final move to the dock as “a logistical feat involving a 750-tonne crane.”
Strategic renewal for a changing era
The new crawlers replace smaller, manually operated systems that served on retired vessels such as the MV Grand Banks and MV Coral Sea.
Earlier crawlers, limited by mechanical control and basic imaging, have now given way to fully digital, self-adjusting systems equipped with predictive maintenance and real-time telemetry linking the Benguela Gem to De Beers’ Cape Town control centre.
Debmarine Namibia Board Chairperson Kevin Smith said the NGCs represent a deliberate response to global market volatility.
“This technology allows us to remain competitive even in a volatile pricing environment,” he said. “It’s about building resilience while preparing for the next upswing in natural diamond demand.”
Deputy Board Chairperson Shakwa Nyambe described the crawlers as “a platform for continuous innovation,” while CEO Willy Mertens said they underscore Debmarine’s long-term commitment to responsible, high-tech mining.
“We are proud to lead with technology that not only enhances recovery but also demonstrates our commitment to sustainable resource development,” he said.
A new chapter in marine mining
The N$1.1 billion (US$65 million) crawler programme is expected to boost Benguela Gem’s annual output by about 80,000 high-value carats, offsetting production lost with the retirement of older vessels.
Crew training and operational trials are underway before the ship’s return to Namibian waters later this month.
As Debmarine Namibia navigates an industry defined by shifting global dynamics — from fluctuating demand to the rise of synthetic diamonds — the arrival of these Next Generation Crawlers signals more than a technical upgrade. It represents a strategic evolution.
Or, as Rudi Agostinho told Mining Weekly, “Technology is how we stay ahead. It gives us strength, stability, and precision — exactly what’s needed to thrive in a changing world.”
