Shipping Snippets: Ardmore Tanker Calls to Bantry, Arklow Disposes Cargoship & Mainport Chase Vessel Departs Cork Dockyard

20th December 2017

Jehan Ashmore

Arklow Bridge seen underway off Vlissingen has been disposed by Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. Note near the bow, where the lower freeboard along the hull meets the cargo hatch coaming, this feature is reminiscent of the older V class series which too were disposed and are been replaced by 10 custom built newbuilds. The latest of these Arklow Venture was recently delivered to ASN. Credit: Lucien van der Horn ASN facebook

#ShippingSnippets - A 183m tanker from Ardmore Shipping Corporation based in Bermuda which also has a principle operating office located in Cork, made a call to Bantry Bay recently, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Ardmore Seaventure which at 49,999 dwt is on of the largest of the 27 strong fleet had anchored at the single point mooring (SPM) system at the Whiddy Island oil terminal. The ship had sailed from Ventspils, Latvia and has since headed to west Scotland. Until yesterday, the tanker had taken anchorage in Brodrick Bay, Isle of Arran (see 'Superyacht' posting).

Bantry Bay Terminals is operated by Zenith Energy, where the facility is also capable of handling VLCC’s and 30-meter draft vessels for the discharging of petroleum cargoes and other products.

Another short-sea trader from Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V., Arklow Bridge is no longer part of the Dutch division fleet. The 4,723gt vessel only built in 2011, is one of a pair of original 'B' class ships. The other sister Arklow Brook remains in service. They differ to a succession of ships from a varient of the 'B' series also built by Bodewes in the Netherlands.

Afloat has tracked down the 116m cargoship which has been renamed Aasvik, when berthed in Szczecin,Poland. Also a change of flag to Gibraltar has taken place.

An earlier 'Brook' had served ASL, having been custom built at Appledore Shipbuilders in 1990 followed by sister 'Bridge' the next year. The yard in Bidna, north Devon is now Babcock Marine & Technology's facility that is currently constructing the Naval Service's fourth OPV90 sister to be named L.E. George Bernard Shaw.

Cork based Mainport Group's seismic chase vessel, Mainport Kells has been at the Cork Dockyard facility. The 350grt vessel of only 37m built almost a decade ago at the Shin Yang yard Malaysia in 2008, had yesterday carried out sea trials beyond the harbour off Roches Point Lighthouse.

Corkonians would of seen Mainport Kells berthed previously at Cork city quays. A fleetmate the seismic survey vessel Mineport Pine remains there along North Custom Quay.

Published in Arklow Shipping, Ports & Shipping

Published in Arklow Shipping

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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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