The ship, designed for research and meteorological expeditions, was built in 1963 at the Dutch shipyard Scheepswerf. In 1998, it was purchased by a Southwest Asian armator, who immediately sent the ship to the British shipyard Devenport for a complete rebuild. The ship's engines, generators and stabilizers were completely replaced. Today she can accommodate 48 passengers. Salem now has a single MTU 3,996 hp engine, giving her a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Previously this boat was called: Cumulus
