#ArklowGreenNewbuild- This afternoon Arklow Shipping's fourth out of a total of six 4,800dwt newbuilds, Arklow Beacon was launched from a Dutch shipyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.
She features a 'green' credential designed hull form which was given a 'sideways' launch. No doubt a proud moment for ASL officials, dignitaries and yard workers alike attending the ceremony at the Ferus Smit yard at Westerbroek.
The German shipbuilding firm's Dutch yard was contracted by ASL to build the series of the 119m long multi-purpose bulk orientated general cargoships. The class have a hull form that was chosen to adapt the 'bulbless' principle; creating a slender bow without bulb.
Her design also takes into account various loading drafts and wave conditions to be encountered in service. The performance of this bow will be better suited than a bulb optimised for one single draft operations and when on flat water only.
Arklow Beacon is to join the Irish company's Dutch subsidiary in October under the management of Arklow Shipping Netherlands B.V. based in the Rotterdam. Likewise of her sisters, in which Arklow Beach was the last to be completed in June, flies the flag of the Netherlands.
Classed under Bureau Veritas, the newbuilds have a two-hold grain capacity of 9902,6m³ and for bale of 349.706ft³.
She will mainly be employed in the shipment of wheat, corn and other bulk commodities in European waters. A speed of 13 knots will be delivered from a Mak engine.
