Fleet cuts dent Namibia's diamond haul

Namibia's diamond production decreased by 12% to 600 000 carats due to scheduled maintenance on two vessels at Debmarine Namibia, along with the impact of retiring two vessels in 2025, Anglo American said in a production report for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026.

Anglo American said De Beers' operational review resulted in the permanent retirement of the Coral Sea mining vessel and the removal of the Grand Banks from service, pending a final decision on whether to decommission or sell it.

Anglo American announced a planned sale of De Beers in 2024, which it said was progressing well, although no firm decision has been made.

The two vessels had been instrumental in sustaining Namibia's offshore diamond output.

The Coral Sea, which had served in the Debmarine Namibia fleet since 2008, was the first to be officially retired as part of a broader fleet optimisation strategy.

The Grand Banks, while not formally decommissioned, has ceased operations. These changes have significantly affected Debmarine Namibia's seaborne capacity, which has historically accounted for the majority of the country's diamond production.