King Mohammed dedicates scientific research ship

Morocco's King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, dedicated Thursday afternoon at the port of Agadir a scientific research ship.

Al-Amir Moulay Abdallah ship, named after the king's late uncle, was built part of Moroccan-Japanese cooperation.

The ship, endowed with state-of-the-art equipment, can conduct a wide array of scientific and technical studies on oceanography and fish stocks.

The 38.5 meter long and 7.8 meter wide ship, worth 120 million Dirhams (about $10.43 million) can accommodate a 14-member crew and 7 researchers. It will provide scientists, managers, professionals and political decision-makers with accurate data on sea milieu and resources. It will also conduct studies on the quality of sea water and on fishing techniques experiments, will prospect the bottom of the sea and draw fishing maps.