#DublinBay - Two bulk-carriers currently anchored off Bulloch Harbour in Dublin Bay, one from South America, the other from mainland Europe, both await docking in the capital's port, but exactly at the same basin berth, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The larger of the bulkers, Luzon at 55,657dwt had sailed originally from Argentina from where the ship loaded agricultural products, however the near 190m vessel had recently first called to Belfast Harbour. Upon completion of a part-cargo discharged in the Ulster port, the bulker made the short passage down through the Irish Sea to Dublin Bay. 

Later today, the Liberian flagged Luzon is due to dock in Dublin Port around midnight at Alexandra Basin to discharge the remains of the cargo. The dry-bulk / break bulk common user facility in the basin along Alexandra Quay West is located adjacent to the large silos of the disused Odlums Flour Mill, having closed in 2012.

Afloat will have more to report on plans for the former flour building which dominates the port's largest basin located east of the entertainment venue, the Three Arena. Previously, known as The Point Theatre housed in the original building from where a former port-related railway depot existed.

The 2010 built bulker Luzon is just a year younger of the second bulker, Arklow Manor, of 14,990dwt, which is the leadship of six 'M ' class bulkers built in 2009 at the Mokpo Shipbuilding Ind. Co., Korea. The 134m bulker had sailed from the French inland Port of Caen in Normandy, reached via the Canal de Caen à la Mer, which links to Ouistreham, 15 kms downstream, on the English Channel.

At Ouistreham is where a terminal custom-built for Brittany Ferries opened in the mid-1980's to operate a route to Portsmouth, UK, served currently by Normandie and Mont St. Michel. On an occasion involving a ferry and related taxi trip to Caen, a fleeting glimpse of a distinctive green hulled Arklow Shipping 'R' class 4,933dwt cargoship shortsea trader was spotted in the Port de Commerce de Caen-Ouistreham.

The recent call of the 'M' class fleetmate to Caen reflects the range in dwt, though ASL have larger bulkers, representing the biggest ships of the fleet and under the Irish flag with the 'S' class pair each of 34,905dwt.  The older of the pair, just over a year ago Arklow Spirit made a maiden call to the capital port. The deepsea bulker having anchored previously in Dublin Bay along with the smaller Arklow Marsh, another sister of the six-strong M class bulkers dating to 2010. 

On completion of discharging Luzon in Dublin Port, two days later at the exact berth (No.30) is where Arklow Manor has been allocated to dock. Over the years Afloat has reported on the facility in Alexandra Basin in handling animal feed, fertiliser and grain.

A sister, Arklow Meadow (see, coverage/photo incl. old Oldlums Mill) had dry-docked in the State's then largest such facility (220m) until the marine business operator was forced to close in 2016, due to plans by Dublin Port Company to in-fill the dry dock. This is to facilitate increased quayside capacity for the €227m Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) project, phase one of the Port's Masterplan. The project permits larger cargoships and cruiseships to enter and meet the demands expected in the future of the capital's port.

As alluded before the distinctive green hulls of the ASL fleet, however the vast majority of bulkers use black, blue, grey and red. In design terms, Luzon's five cargoholds are equipped with cranes mounted between the hatches. Whereas, Arklow Manor with one less cargohold, is dependent on port handling grabber cranes that scoup and dump whatever traded cargo is carried.

#vor – Dongfeng Race Team with Ireland's Damian Foxall onboard announced late last night that they plan to retire from Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race after breaking their mast in the Southern Ocean. Skipper Charles Caudrelier had considered attempting to re-join the 6,776-nautical mile stage from Auckland to Itajaí after successfully nursing Dongfeng to Ushuaia, Argentina, earlier in the day.

But on Tuesday night, a statement from the team read: "The decision has been made to motor-sail to Itajaí and not rejoin the race – although skipper Caudrelier has yet to officially retire from the leg at this time, it is just a matter of protocol now.

"He will not relish this part of the administrative process and if there had been any other timely and effective way to rejoin the race and get to Brazil, he would have undoubtedly taken it.

"But even under motor-sail the delivery trip is expected to take around 10-12 days and then add the days needed to refit the boat in time for the start of Leg 6 to Newport.

"Trying to rejoin the race which would mean returning to the point they started using the engine at the western entrance of the (Beagle) Channel then sail south around Cape Horn would prove to be too risky, especially with rig and sails not fully fit for racing.

"It wasn't safe to enter the Beagle Channel without the engine, even if it would have left more options for a racing departure."

By motoring to Itajaí, they will buy some time to make the repairs ready to start Leg 6 to Newport - although it will still be tight. The fleet is due to depart on April 19.

Dongfeng Race Team plan to leave Ushuaia for Itajaí on Wednesday evening.

At 0315 on Monday, a sickening crack had signaled to Caudrelier and his crew that the top section of the mast had fractured, leaving the boat without full manoueverability.

The decision means that Dongfeng Race Team, who were joint leaders with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker/GBR) at the start of the leg, will collect eight points for a Did Not Finish result.

In the latest position report at 1840 UTC on Tuesday, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing led by 8.8nm from Cape Horn pace-setters, Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright/USA)