#50ships - The maiden delivery voyage of Arklow Vanguard is significant as Arklow Shipping now totals a record 50 cargoships and follows the company's 50th anniverary last year, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arklow Vanguard made the delivery passage on Monday from Delfzijl to Rotterdam, where the 87m newbuild has as a port of registry. This is because the Dutch subsidiary, Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. are located in the giant port. They are responsible in managing 19 cargoships. 

The balance of 31 cargoships are under the Irish flag and registered in the owner’s homeport of Arklow, Co. Wicklow. The headoffice of Arklow Shipping Ltd overlooks the River Avoca from where chartering teams are based and that of the Rotterdam office. To put into context they operate the mixed flagged fleet that range from the 4,900dwt ‘R’ class short-sea traders to a pair of 34,900dwt ‘S’ class sisters that trade worldwide. These cargoships are employed to carry project cargoes, grain, generals and bulk commodities including those classified under IMO regulations.

Arklow Vanguard has a 5,150dwt and is a Royal Bodewes Eco-Trader built to that yard’s own design that features a straight-stem bow design. This reduces wave resistance and so saves on fuel consumption. Also a stream-lined hull form adds to greater efficiencies.

As previously reported, launching of Arklow Vanguard took place in late March in Hoogezand near Groningen. The newbuild brings to five so far delivered out of a total of 10 Eco-Traders or ‘V’ class short-sea dry cargoships. Among, the typical cargoes to be transported will be grain, animal feed and steel rails.