Floating Saudi desalination barges relaunched

Saudi Arabia’s two floating water desalination barges have been moved from Shuquaiq to Yanbu, and the first was relaunched on 7 July 2010 by Fehied F Al-Shareef, governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and Engineer Nabil Azmaruli, general manager of the General Directorate of Water in Al-Madina.

The barges, each with a capacity of 25,000 m³/d, will produce potable water for Madina and Yanbu.

Al-Shareef also inspected the second barge and the site to assess the progress of anchoring and full operation of the barges. The visit included a site inspection of the suitability of the location, running operations, site facilities, the barges workforce and the SWCC barges management team from the Yanbu desalination plants.

SWCC says that the required work was completed in record time with a high degree of quality, ensuring the safety of the barges and their installed equipment during operation, following the transfer to Yanbu.

The barges were first put into operation in 2008 to support increased seasonal requirements in the western region and were anchored on the coast of Shuaibah. In 2009 the barges were moved to the shores of Shuqaiq city in record time and with minimal resources, making mobility one of their most important features.