The Zwarte Zee was built in 1963 at J. & K. Smit's Scheepswerven N.V. in Kinderdijk, Holland. It has a length of 77.50 m, a breadth of 12.35 m, a draught of 6.90 m, and a gross tonnage of 1,539 tons. The vessel is driven by two Smit-M.A.N. turbo diesel engines yielding 9,000 HP. These engines drive a single propeller shaft through Vulcan fluid clutches and reduction gears. When a fast maneuver is necessary, one of the engines can drive forwards while the other drives in reverse. The maximum speed is 18 knots.