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A Dutch Masterpiece As An Artist Is Launched for Arklow Shipping

2nd May 2021
An end of April launch for Arklow Artist - the final of the 'A' series of newbuild cargoships An end of April launch for Arklow Artist - the final of the 'A' series of newbuild cargoships Credit: Shipyard Ferus Smit-Instagram

The last day of April saw Arklow Artist, as the final 'A' series of six newbuilds to be launched at Ferus Smit's Dutch inland shipyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.

This newest cargoship constructed in Westerbroek, is the first to carry the name 'Artist' of these Irish flagged bulk orientated newbuilds ordered by Arklow Shipping.

Ferus Smit built the newbuild(NB# 442) to a design that is a slightly modified version of the first series of 8600dwt bulkers of the Arklow 'B' series, also launched from the same shipyard.

The new design is adapted for iceclass 1A, with a modified bow form while at the stern the propellor is fitted with a nozzle. The main engine output was decreased to 2000kw to enhance better fuel efficiency.

Likewise of the five completed 8,543dwt cargoships that began with leadship Arklow Abbey (2019), the newest vessel will be mainly employed in shipment of corn and wheat.

In addition the newbuild will be trading in bulk commodities throughout European waters.

Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Shipyards

Afloat will be focusing on news and developments of shipyards with newbuilds taking shape on either slipways and building halls.

The common practice of shipbuilding using modular construction, requires several yards make specific block sections that are towed to a single designated yard and joined together to complete the ship before been launched or floated out.

In addition, outfitting quays is where internal work on electrical and passenger facilities is installed (or upgraded if the ship is already in service). This work may involve newbuilds towed to another specialist yard, before the newbuild is completed as a new ship or of the same class, designed from the shipyard 'in-house' or from a naval architect consultancy. Shipyards also carry out repair and maintenance, overhaul, refit, survey, and conversion, for example, the addition or removal of cabins within a superstructure. All this requires ships to enter graving /dry-docks or floating drydocks, to enable access to the entire vessel out of the water.

Asides from shipbuilding, marine engineering projects such as offshore installations take place and others have diversified in the construction of offshore renewable projects, from wind-turbines and related tower structures. When ships are decommissioned and need to be disposed of, some yards have recycling facilities to segregate materials, though other vessels are run ashore, i.e. 'beached' and broken up there on site. The scrapped metal can be sold and made into other items.